Evaluating oseltamivir regimens in a ferret model

What is it about?

Here we established a ferret model that mimics the transmission of influenza virus in a close contact setting to evaluate the efficacy of oseltamivir treatment or pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent transmission of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus to secondary contacts.

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Why is it important?

Oseltamivir treatment of the index case had minimal impact on transmission to secondary contacts, whereas 24 hours pre-exposure prophylaxis and 12 hours post-exposure prophylaxis of contacts resulted in delayed infection and improved clinical symptoms in these animals, with greater benefits seen when oseltamivir was delivered twice daily rather than once daily. Oseltamivir prophylactic regimens significantly improved ferret activity with little or no effect on viral infection and replication.