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Translating Antiviral Therapies to Veterinary Use: A Review of Immunomodulatory Agents for Potential Application in Aleutian Mink Diseases
by
, ,
Marcin Kondracki
1,
Andrzej Żmuda
2,
Magdalena Gryzinska
1,*,
Ilona Mazurkiewicz
1,
Beata Seremak
3,
Jacek Furmaga
4 and
Andrzej Jakubczak
1 1
Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2
Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
3
Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
4
Department of General and Transplant Surgery and Clinical Nutrition, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2025, 15(16), 2360; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15162360
Submission received: 7 May 2025
/
Revised: 16 July 2025
/
Accepted: 8 August 2025
/
Published: 11 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Topic Animal Diseases in Agricultural Production Systems: Their Veterinary, Zoonotic, and One Health Importance, 2nd Edition)
Simple Summary
Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) is a serious threat to the mink due to the lack of effective treatments or vaccines. Due to this fact, minks with low levels of antibodies against AMDV are selected to enable the breeding of more resistant animals. Recent research into immunomodulators, including nanoparticles and organic compounds, shows promise in enhancing immune responses and potentially managing the disease. Immunosuppressants, though typically used to prevent organ rejection, may also alleviate symptoms of viral infections like AMDV. The disease’s severity depends on virus virulence and the mink’s immune system, age, and genetics, often resulting in organ damage, low reproduction rates, and high mortality. Analysis of potential pharmacological treatment of Aleutian Mink Disease (AMD) may open the door to solving this growing problem. The rapid development of technology based on nanomaterials and organic compounds using immunosuppressants with anti-inflammatory properties may in the near future lead to the creation of specific preparations for use in individual treatment.
Abstract
Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) poses a serious threat to the fur industry worldwide, and the lack of effective treatments or vaccines makes it difficult to combat the disease. There are highly virulent strains of AMDV that cause severe symptoms, but by selecting animals with low titres of anti-AMDV antibodies, it is possible to obtain mink with increased resistance to AMDV. Immunomodulation research offers a promising prospect in combating AMDV. The literature review covered the potential use of immunomodulators, including nanoparticles and macromolecules, which can positively influence the immune response. Previous attempts to treat AMDV have not been satisfactory, nor have attempts to develop a fully effective vaccine. The use of new technologies based on cell engineering and nanotechnologies in the prevention and treatment of diseases has become a fact.
