Table 1.
Clinical signs, virus replication, and seroconversion in buprenorphine-treated ferrets inoculated with IAV
| Groupa | Weight lossb | Temperaturec | Respiratory symptomsd | Peak NWe | CWe | RSe | Seroconversionf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11.3 (6–8) | 1.4 | 4/4 | 6.7 ± 0.5 | 4.3 ± 0.3 (2/4) | 0 (0/4) | 2560 |
| 2 | 14.1 (10–14) | 1.5 | 3/4 | 6.4 ± 0.4 | 5.3 ± 0 (1/4) | 1.5 (1/4) | 2560 |
| 3 | 10.5 (6–9) | 1.1 | 4/4 | 6.0 ± 0.4 | 3.4 ± 1.1 | 1.8 (1/4) | 1250-2560 |
Group 1, 0.04 mg/kg buprenorphine SC BID on days 0 through 4 after inoculation; group 2, 0.04 mg/kg buprenorphine SC BID on days 5 through 9; group 3, equal volume of saline SC BID on corresponding to buprenorphine treatments days.
Percentage mean maximum weight loss during days 1 through 14 after inoculation with 106 pfu/mL of Panama/99 A(H3N2) IAV. Days on which maximum weight loss occurred are indicated in parentheses.
Mean maximum rise in temperature (°C) above baseline temperature (37.9 to 39.3 °C) during observational period.
Number of ferrets with observed respiratory symptoms (sneezing, nasal discharge).
Maximum viral titer (recorded on days 1 through 5 for each animal; mean ± 1 SD) in ferret nasal wash (NW), conjunctival wash (CW), or rectal swab (RS) specimens, expressed as log10 pfu/mL (limit of detection, 10 pfu/mL; the number of ferrets with infectious virus detected is specified in parentheses when not 4/4).
Seroconversion (range in titer from hemagglutinin inhibition assay is shown; ferrets in groups 1 and 2 had the same titer) to homologous virus collected on day 21. Serum from one ferret in group 2 was collected prior to euthanasia on day 17.