| Abstract: | The antiviral activity and ability of mismatched double-stranded RNA (m-dsRNA), r(I)n′r(C12-U)n′ to induce interferon (IFN) were evaluated in ducks chronically infected with duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV). When m-dsRNA was administered intravenously at a single dose of 5 mg/kg, serum DHBV DNA concentrations decreased significantly for 3 days (P < 0.002). However, the DHBV DNA concentrations returned to the pretreatment levels 4 days after treatment. Inhibition of DHBV DNA replication in the liver was also observed 2 days after treatment. Serum IFN activity peaked 3 hours after administration of m-dsRNA, then rapidly declined. 2′-5′ Oligo-adenylate synthetase (2′-5′ AS) activity increased gradually after treatment and remained elevated for at least 48 hours. In ducks receiving m-dsRNA once daily for 7 consecutive days, serum DHBV DNA concentrations on the last day of treatment were decreased by 76 ± 12% (P < 0.05) in ducks that received 0.2 mg of m-dsRNA per kg and by 65 ± 12% (P < 0.05) in ducks that received 1 mg of m-dsRNA per kg. This decrease persisted for at least 2 weeks after the cessation of treatment in all ducks. These results suggest that m-dsRNA effectively inhibits DHBV replication in vivo, and that IFN induction and stimulation of 2′–5′AS activity contribute to the inhibition of DHBV replication by m-dsRNA. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
