Clinical and immunological effectiveness of imunofan in opportunistic infections

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Infections that affect the skin, fur and claws of a cat are much easier to prevent than to treat. For these purposes, practice-tested vaccines are used. Veterinarians often recommend Vacderm F (Vacderm-F) for cats. It is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of various types of lichen. Compliance with all points of the instructions for use of the vaccine guarantees a minimum number of side effects and the effectiveness of the product.

Purpose of the drug

Vakderm F is a vaccine intended for the prevention and treatment of various forms of dermatophytosis in animals. The formula was developed by Moscow, which is also the manufacturer of this medication.

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Dermatophytosis is a contagious disease that is classified as zoonotic. Sick cats are sources of infection for other animals and humans. The causative agent is microscopic pathogenic fungi of several types. Dermatophytoses in cats manifest themselves in the form of single or multiple scaly inflammations on the skin and integument.

Under the influence of Vakderm F, the cat’s protection against ringworm and other types of lichen is enhanced.

Pets with weakened immune systems and kittens whose age has not yet reached 12 months are most susceptible to dermatophytosis. To prevent infection or stop the development of microsporia and trichophytosis, the Vakderm F vaccine is used.

Operating principle

If you apply Vakderm 2 times with an interval of 2 weeks, then in about a month the animal will form an immune system and develop protection against dermatophytosis. The protection resulting from the action of the product lasts about a year. The concentration of fungal bacteria in one dose is somewhere around 30-50 million / cm 3. There is no need to worry about the application. It is safe, capable of treating and protecting against the onset of diseases.

If the animal is vaccinated during the incubation period of the disease, its symptoms will appear faster on the skin of cats. And after 10 days, repeat the use of the medication.

Release form and composition

Vakderm F is marketed as a liquid for injection. The sterile solution has a pink tint and a uniform consistency without additional inclusions. The vaccine is bottled in hermetically sealed glass bottles of various capacities. One ampoule can contain different amounts of the drug: 1 ml, 2 ml or 10 ml. Each glass container is closed with a rubber stopper, which is secured with an aluminum cap. Vials of the Vakderm F vaccine are arranged in cardboard packs of 10 pieces.

It is important to remember that Vakderm F for lichen should be used within 30 minutes after opening the ampoule

The shelf life of the drug against dermatophytosis is limited to 12 months. After this time, the liquid must be disposed of. This can be done without the use of special measures (heating the vaccine or other inactivation method). After purchase, the medication must be kept out of the reach of small children. The vaccine deteriorates in light and at room temperature, so it is stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to +10 degrees.

The fresh vaccine contains pure cultures of three microscopic fungi, which are specially grown in a nutrient medium. Biological components include species:

1. Microsporum
2. Trichophyton
3. Epidermophyton

The concentration of fungal cells in one ampoule is 50-80 million/cm3. During the vaccine production process, fungi are inactivated with formalin taken at a concentration of 0.3%. The same substance serves as a stabilizer in the composition of the drug. The medicinal properties of the vaccine are reinforced by the addition of the immunomodulator Ribotan at a working concentration of 0.2%. This substance enhances the immune response in the cat’s body when infected with lichen.

The Vacderm vaccine, which is similar in composition (without the “F” suffix), is intended for a wide range of domestic animals, while Vacderm-F is specifically for cats

Clinical and immunological effectiveness of imunofan in opportunistic infections

A. V. Karaulov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor

MMA im. I. M. Sechenova, Moscow

A new immunoregulatory peptide, imunofan, is a synthetic derivative of the hormone thymopoietin (arginyl-a-aspartyl-lysyl-valyl-tyrosyl-arginine). In a short time, it was studied in detail and introduced into clinical practice as a means of pathogenetic therapy. The success of Imunofan is largely determined by its origin (a third-generation drug based on synthetic immune hormones), a detailed study of the mechanism of action and a clear rationale for clinical use [1, 2].

In our clinic, the mechanisms of action of the drug and its clinical effectiveness in respiratory diseases have been studied for a decade. In particular, the clinical effectiveness of imunofan in chronic bronchitis was successfully demonstrated [3]. In continuation of these works, Professor N.A. Didkovsky was the first to identify the interferon-inducing property of immunofan, which served as another basis for its use in opportunistic infections. We used Imunofan in the treatment of 28 patients with chronic respiratory infection (chronic pharyngotracheitis, chronic bronchitis of chlamydial bacterial etiology) with severe dysfunction in all parts of the immune system, including inhibition of the induced production of interferon a and g (INF-a and -g) . The drug was prescribed 1 ml of 0.005% solution intramuscularly every two days, 10 injections per course of treatment. The drug was well tolerated. In a number of patients, after three to five injections, a moderate exacerbation of the inflammatory process was noted, which, as a rule, stopped on its own. The clinical effect of the drug was expressed in the disappearance of purulent sputum and other symptoms of respiratory infections, as well as in an improvement in general well-being and a noticeable increase in performance already at the beginning of treatment. It turned out that after a course of therapy with Imunofan, in the majority of patients (70%), the virus-induced production of IFN-a (previously reduced) increased by 2-6 times and the mitogen-stimulated production of IFN-g by 2-4 times, including in response to FGA. The effect of the therapy persisted for a long time and was more pronounced in particularly severe cases of the disease, when basic therapy was unsuccessful or immunotherapy that preceded our treatment was ineffective. The drug was easily tolerated, its use was accompanied by pronounced positive changes according to immunological examination tests in patients with initially altered immunity parameters.

According to other clinical observations that we carried out during the outpatient treatment of patients, Imunofan has established itself as a drug that also has anti-inflammatory activity, which was reflected in a more rapid normalization of the symptoms of respiratory opportunistic infections. A peculiarity of its use at this stage of treatment was the need for repeated courses of therapy over three months of observation. At the same time, courses of therapy were often prescribed in the absence of changes in the immune status, but in the presence of clinical manifestations of infection. Imunofan combined well with therapy used to treat concomitant diseases (coronary heart disease, gastrointestinal diseases, obstructive pulmonary diseases). Moreover, in a number of cases, synergism in the action of drugs was observed (when combined with anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, etc.).

An assessment of the condition of patients with opportunistic infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, pneumocytosis, herpes infection, cryptosporidiosis, listeriosis, occurring against the background of an immunodeficiency state, and the use of imunofan for them was carried out at the Omsk Medical Academy. In these fairly extensive studies, 202 patients with various opportunistic infections were observed. The criterion for inclusion in the study was the presence of a typical clinical picture of the disease, confirmed by laboratory tests. Each patient underwent a full range of laboratory and instrumental studies.

The study group of patients (102 people) received treatment with imunofan against the background of basic therapy. The drug was used in the form of intramuscular injections once every two days - 5 injections, then once every four days - 5 injections. If necessary, the course of treatment could be increased to 15 doses.

Patients in the comparison group (100 people) received etiopathogenetic treatment (basic therapy), including an immunomodulatory complex (adaptogens, enterosorbents, UV rays and hemosorption).

Lymphadenopathy, arthralgomyalgia, low-grade fever, complaints of general weakness are characteristic of all opportunistic infections. Therefore, when assessing the therapeutic effectiveness of imunofan, its result was assessed according to the main syndromic manifestations of opportunistic infection.

Thus, the administration of the drug to patients stimulates the metabolic reactions of phagocytic cells, which is especially important for chronic viral infections (CMV, herp infection), accompanied by immunocomplex reactions. The use of Imunofan contributed to the restoration of the total number of lymphocytes. At the same time, the patients showed an improvement in the balance of lymphocyte subpopulations, which demonstrates an increase in IRI from 0.8±0.1 to 1.75±0.3 after completion of the course of treatment with imunofan.

Increased phagocytic activity and restoration of the balance of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients receiving imunofan are accompanied by positive dynamics on the part of the CEC, which, under certain conditions, are pathogenetic factors of inflammation, damage and the development of allergic exogenous alveolitis or glomerulonephritis.

The damaging effect is usually caused by soluble complexes formed in a small excess of antigen. In these cases, the damaging effect of the complex is realized mainly through the activation of complement, the release of lysosomal enzymes, the generation of superoxide radicals and the activation of the kallikrein-kinin system. Complexes formed in tissues are usually retained at the site of their formation, and in the case of acute or chronic infection they are found in the vessels of the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys, alveolar vessels, their basement membranes and surrounding tissue. The topography of CEC deposition is determined by the state of vascular permeability: where it is increased, the predominant deposition of CEC occurs. Thus, when CEC is deposited in the lungs, alveolitis occurs, and in severe cases, inflammation can take on an alternating character with tissue necrosis, hemorrhage, and partial or complete thrombosis is possible in the vessels.

Circulating immune complexes become pathogenic only under certain conditions, in the case of their prolonged circulation and disruption of the mechanisms by which the blood is cleared of complexes. The latter occurs when the phagocytic function of the RES is inhibited as a result of its overload.

Analysis of the data obtained on the effect of imunofan on the immune status of patients with opportunistic infections shows that the drug stimulates the phagocytic and T-cell immunity, enhances the elimination of CEC and does not have an allergenic effect.

The positive effect of imunofan on the immune response in patients was accompanied by its pronounced effect on the clinical course of the infectious process. The data obtained convincingly indicate that Imunofan enhances the antitoxic basic therapy of multiple organ pathologies and concomitant diseases, which is reflected in a reduction in the period of manifestations of certain clinical syndromes. With the use of Imunofan, patients noted the disappearance of weakness, normalization of sleep and mood, and improvement of appetite. There were no side effects from the administration of the drug to patients.

Literature.

1. Imunofan - a regulatory peptide in the treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases / Ed. V. I. Pokrovsky. M., 1998. P. 119.
2. Karaulov A.V., Sokurenko S.I. Imunofan: immediate and long-term results of treatment of patients with chronic bronchitis // Medical Market. 2000. No. 34. pp. 21-24.
3. Karaulov A.V. // Attending physician. 2000. No. 4.

Instructions for use Vakderma F

Vaccinating a cat against parasitic fungi requires adherence to the schedule and dosage. The vaccine against dermatophytosis is used twice, taking a break of 10-14 days. After about a month (25-30 days), the cat develops its own immunity against lichen pathogens. The acquired immune reaction remains in the pet’s body for up to one year.

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10-12 days before the scheduled vaccination, the cat must undergo deworming and treatment against ectoparasites with suitable drugs. The anthelmintic and insecticide are given to the pet on different days to reduce the risk of intoxication. For vaccination with Vakderm F, the dosage is chosen based on the age of the cat. For three-month-old and younger kittens, a single dose is 0.5 ml. For older pets – 1 ml of product.

It is important to follow the prescribed immunization schedule. If the appointed date is missed, it is necessary to inject the vaccine as soon as possible

How and where to inject

Before drawing the vaccine into the syringe, the bottle is heated to 36-37 degrees. This is done by holding the ampoule in the palm of your hand or placing it in a water bath. The vaccine must be administered intramuscularly. In this case, the first and second injections are given in different paws of the cat. A suitable injection site is the inner or back of the thigh. The bone on the limb is felt so as not to hit it. This is especially important if the vaccine is given to a skinny cat. According to the instructions, the site chosen for the injection is treated with a cotton pad soaked in 70% alcohol. The needle is inserted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm and the solution is slowly injected.

Ringworm in cats: main signs

A sure sign of the disease is the appearance of unhealthy pink spots on the animal’s body with dry, flaky skin in the center of the infected areas.

Remember: in an infected animal (as in humans), lichen on its own will never disappear. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to quickly recognize the disease in order to immediately begin to fight it.

A vigilant and caring cat owner will immediately pay attention to the following signs of illness:

• Oily, dull, unkempt-looking coat with dense clumps appearing on it.
• Increased shedding with subsequent baldness.
• Severe peeling in some places on the animal's body.
• Inflamed and itchy areas of skin that the cat constantly scratches, meowing pitifully.
• Loss of appetite in the animal and even complete refusal to eat.
• Apathy, indifference of the cat to games.

This skin disease is most often located on the top of the head, especially near the ears; under the neck; on the stomach; sometimes on the paws of an animal. As a result of deprivation in cats, deformation of the claws is possible, which also serves as an irrefutable sign of the presence of the disease.

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Possible complications

The vaccine manufacturer warns that after administration of Vakderm-F, the cat may become drowsy or have a fever. This state lasts a maximum of three days. Some owners note that a swelling forms at the injection site after vaccination. To speed up the resorption of the seal, it is recommended to lubricate the problem area once with an alcohol solution of iodine.

If a cat begins to noticeably show signs of lichen after vaccination, it means that the animal has already been infected and the incubation period has passed. In such a situation, after two weeks it is also necessary to re-inject the vaccine, maintaining the dosage according to the instructions for use. There are no more serious complications after Vakderm F.

Price

You can now see the current price of the drug Vakderm and buy it right here from Yandex Market with fast delivery:

When purchasing a vaccine for cats, please note that the price may vary slightly depending on the variation:

• Vakderm 1 ml costs about 100 rubles;
• Vakderm F 1 ml will cost 120 rubles.

Prices may vary not only in different regions, but also in different pharmacies within the same city. When purchasing, pay attention to storage conditions.

Pros and cons of the drug

The widespread use of Vakderm F is explained by several advantages. These include:

• prolonged action;
• ease of use;
• possibility of prevention and treatment.

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When choosing Vacderm-F for cat vaccination, you should also remember about the existing disadvantages that either limit its use or impose certain requirements. The disadvantages include:

• Specific storage conditions for the product and a relatively short shelf life.
• Incompatibility of the drug for lichen with other medications of similar action.
• Presence of contraindications and side effects after vaccination.

Owner reviews

Reviews about medications are varied, but many boil down to one thing - that the drug should be used to prevent the disease.

Striped pet

Daria

We often let the cat go outside for a walk. Our cat is a British breed, sterilized, but still fights with other cats. There was a case when he came home badly injured after another cat showdown. The veterinary clinic recommended Vakderm. After use, the cat feels and looks great. I recommend the vaccine to everyone!

Evgeniya

Our “Siberian Forest” cat lived only at home, but one day she slipped away and had a fair walk. We immediately decided to seek advice from specialists. This vaccine was recommended to us along with other means. We did not notice any side effects. The cat remained healthy.

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Alla

We picked up our cat on the street, completely sick, flea-ridden and shabby. It took a long time to treat and nurse. After all this she became a real beauty. We administer the vaccine every year. There are no side effects or other consequences. The cat is no longer sick.

Anna

We were discharged when our cat was already suffering from shingles. It helped. The cat recovered, although he was somewhat lethargic. The veterinarian said that they used to euthanize him altogether, but now there is this super vaccine.

Analogs

The Vakderm F vaccine has two analogues that can replace it. You can use another medication only after consulting a veterinarian. Since only a specialist is able to assess the cat’s health, the feasibility and possibility of replacement. Each of the alternative means has its own characteristics.

Microderm is a combination of dry matter and dilution solution. The therapeutic effect in cats begins to appear 10-15 days after the injection. Immunity is formed from 20-30 days. The shelf life of this vaccine is one and a half times higher than that of Vakderma-F

Polivak-TM is a ready-made injection solution containing eight types of inactivated fungi. To achieve the effect, it is recommended to administer the vaccine twice or three times. The shelf life is 18 months.

Preparing animals for immunization

Veterinarians recommend vaccinating cats as early as two months of age. But before you get vaccinated against lichen, you need to complete a number of mandatory measures:

• Bring your pets for examination to specialist veterinary clinics. Examination of animals will help to avoid possible complications after immunization.
• Use anthelmintics to get rid of worms in cats. Animals must be cured of helminthiasis 2-3 weeks before vaccination. Otherwise, you should not count on the maximum effect of the vaccination.
• Clean your pets' fur from fleas, ticks, and lice. To do this, you need to buy insecticidal acaricidal aerosols or shampoos with a wide spectrum of effects in a specialized store.

When Vakderm is not used or Contraindications

It is important to know your pet's condition in order to make decisions about vaccination.

Postpone the procedure if:

• increased body temperature;
• the animal has an infectious disease;
• low immunity;
• exacerbation of a chronic disease;
• pussy awaiting offspring (2nd half).

If you apply a cold solution, there may be swelling or a lump at the puncture site. To rid your pet of painful lumps, it is important to follow the recommendations for preparing the working fluid (warming up to body temperature).

In addition, the pussy may become lethargic and sleepy for a while. It's not scary and will go away on its own in a couple of days.

Considering the affordable cost (80-100 rubles per ampoule) and the need for only two applications, we can safely say that preserving the splendor of your pet’s fur coat is a simple and budget-friendly measure. But it relieves you from worrying about your little family member for a whole year.