The effect of low dose oral human interferon alpha therapy on diarrhea in veal calves.

Low doses of recombinant human interferon alfa 2a (rHuIFN-alpha 2a), were given orally in milk replacer formula to veal calves to determine the efficacy of rHuIFN-alpha 2a for protection against diarrhea, ear and/or respiratory tract infections common in vealing operations. Calves given rHuIFN-alpha 2a had fewer days and a lower incidence of diarrhea, compared to placebo-treated calves. Calves treated with rHuIFN-alpha 2a had significantly (P < 0.05) fewer ear infections and fewer total days of ear infection than did placebo-treated calves. The mortality rate was lower in the rHuIFN-alpha 2a treatment group (1.6%) than in the placebo treatment group (2.9%) and calves given rHuIFN-alpha 2a had a greater average weight gain (13.1 lbs. more per calf) than calves given placebo. These data demonstrate that orally administered rHuIFN-alpha 2a exhibited a protective effect against clinically significant signs of disease in veal calves, reduced the mortality rate in this population, and enhanced average weight gain.