On the Possibility of Using the Topical form of the Recombinant Interferon alpha-2b Drug in the Prevention of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections in Organized Groups

Relevance. Respiratory infections are an urgent problem for organized groups, including military ones, since the transmission of pathogens by airborne droplets and household contact routes, physical and psychological stress on adaptive mechanisms contribute to the development of the epidemic process. There is no doubt that vaccination makes a significant contribution to the prevention of respiratory infections, but the contingent remains vulnerable to other pathogens against which there are no vaccines. Therefore, the search for new methods of non-specific prevention is necessary in maintaining the health of persons permanently residing in collectives. Aim. Evaluation of the possibility of using the topical form of the recombinant interferon α-2b drug for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in organized groups. Materials and methods. The work was carried out according to the methodology of a multicenter (3 Centers) double-blind controlled trial involving 3,235 people aged 18 to 22 years, who were divided into three groups: 1 gy. - received a recombinant interferon α-2b (Grippferon) drug 3 drops in each nasal passage 2 times a day in for two weeks; 2 g. - saline solution intranasally according to the same scheme; 3 g. - the volunteers did not receive anything. The frequency of respiratory infections was studied. Results and discussion. Medical monitoring of the study participants, which was carried out for 2 months, showed that in the groups from the Center 1, the incidence of acute respiratory diseases for 2 months in the main group (gr. 1) was 2.3 times lower than in the control (gr. 2) and the comparison group (gr. 3). In the Center 2 The data corresponded to the dynamics of Center 1: the incidence values were 2.4-2.5 times lower in Group 1. In Center 3, the values were 2.0-2.1, respectively. The epidemic effect of intranasal administration of the topical form of the drug recombinant interferon α-2b is due to its effect on the factors of mucosal immunity, which contributes to non-specific protection and increased body resistance against respiratory infections. Conclusions. The presented advantages of the recombinant interferon α-2b drug make it possible to draw attention to the clinical feasibility of its use for preventive purposes in organized groups, including military ones, from the position of high epidemiological effectiveness, both pre-exposure and post-exposure prevention of acute respiratory viral infections.

1. Monthly information on indicators of infectious morbidity in the subjects of the Russian Federation, federal districts and the Russian Federation. Available at: https://www.iminfin.ru/areas-of-analysis/health/perechenzabolevanij (Accessed: 28 Feb 2024)

2. Akimkin VG, Korotchenko SI, Shevtsov VA, et al. The epidemiological and immunological efficiency of use of wiferon gel in the prevention of influenza and other acute respiratory infections in organized military collective bodies. Epidemiology and infectious diseases. current items. 2011;(1):28–36. (In Russ)

3. Rybin VV, Sabanin IuV, Kuzin SN, et al. Epidemiological characteristics of acute tonsillitis in military draft personnel from troops of the Ministry of Interior of Russia. Voen Med Zh. 2011;3:52–55 (In Russ)

4. Markelova EV, Tulupova MS, Nevezhkina TA, et al. Interferon profile of the mucosal immunity in women with papillomavirus infection. Russian medical inquiry. 2022;6(2):67– 71 (In Russ). doi: 10.32364/2587-6821-2022-6-2-67-71

5. Stanifer ML, Pervolaraki K, Boulant S. Differential Regulation of Type I and Type III Interferon Signaling. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(6):1445. doi: 10.3390/ijms20061445.

6. Bastard P, Rosen LB, Zhang Q, et al. Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with life-threatening COVID-19. Science. 2020;370(6515):eabd4585. doi:10.1126/science.abd4585.

7. Khanna NR, Gerriets V. Interferon. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555932/

8. Mesic A, Jackson EK, Lalika M, et al. Interferon-based agents for current and future viral respiratory infections: A scoping literature review of human studies. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2022;2,(4):e0000231. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0000231.

9. Herzog C, Berger R, Fernex M, et al. Intranasal interferon (rIFN-alpha A,Ro 22–8181) for contact prophylaxis against common cold: a randomized, double-blind and placebocontrolled field study. Antiviral Res. 1986;6(3)171–176. doi:10.1016/0166-3542(86)90011-2

10. Vaccination of persons subject to conscription and entering military service under contract. Guide for doctors. Ed.: Kostinov MP, Zverev VV, Svitich OA М: MDV Group, 2024 (In Russ).

11. Gao L, Yu S, Chen Q, et al. A randomized controlled trial of low-dose recombinant human interferons alpha-2b nasal spray to prevent acute viral respiratory infections in military recruits. Vaccine. 2010;28(28):4445–4451. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.03.062

12. Kalyuzhin OV. Rectal and Topical Dosage Forms of Interferon alpha in Acute Respiratory Viral Infection: Searching Answers to Debatable Questions. Allergology and Immunology. 2017;18(1):21–25 (In Russ).

13. BYKOVA VP. The mucous membrane of the nose and paranasal sinuses as an immune barrier of the upper respiratory tract. Russian Rhinology. 2000;(1):33–36 (In Russ).

14. Piskunov GZ. Normal and pathological physiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Russian Rhinology. 2017;25(3):51–57 (In Russ). doi: 10.17116/rosrino201725351-57

15. Kostinov MP. Domestic immunotropic agents in the prevention, therapy and rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19. Monograph. М: MDV Group, 2024 (In Russ)