Combined protective effect of a fungal Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase and rimantadine hydrochloride in experimental murine influenza a virus infection

The combined protective effect of a novel naturally glycosylated Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase, produced by the fungus Humicula lutea (HL-SOD) strain 103, and the selective anti-influenza drug rimantadine hydrochloride (Rim) was evaluated in experimental virus infection in mice, induced with influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2). A combined application of HL-SOD and Rim in doses, which by themselves did not protect significantly mice against the infection, resulted in a synergistically increased protection, determined on the basis of protective indices. Lung virus titers, lung weights and consolidation and mortality rates were all decreased significantly, while survival times were prolonged.