Treatment of alphavirus-induced inflammation

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of treating alphavirus infections, particularly in humans, in which pentosan polysulfate is administered to an infected subject. Whilst not effecting the viral load in a subject, the pentosan polysulfate acts to reduce inflammation in tissues, such as the muscles, and in the joints of a subject. In addition, cartilage damage in the joints may be reduced. The reduction in inflammation and/or cartilage damage acts to reduce the severe pain experienced by subjects suffering from alphavirus infections, such as Ross River virus, chikungunya virus and Barmah Forest virus.

1 . A method of treating a subject having an alphavirus infection comprising administering parenterally by intra-articular or intra-muscular injection an amount of pentosan polysulfate or a salt thereof effective to reduce alphavirus induced inflammation and/or alphavirus induced cartilage damage in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inflammation is in the joints and/or muscles. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the inflammation is in the joints. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the inflammation is in the muscles. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the inflammation is in the joints and the muscles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the alphavirus is selected from the group consisting of Ross River virus, chikungunya virus and Barmah Forest virus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the virus is Ross River virus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the virus is chikungunya virus. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the virus is Barmah Forest virus. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein administration is intra-articular. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein administration is intra-muscular. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pentosan polysulfate is the sodium salt. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein administration is daily. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein administration is twice daily. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the amount administered is within the range of from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/kg body weight of subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the amount is within the range of from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/kg body weight of subject. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the amount is within the range of from 2.0 to 5.0 mg/kg body weight of subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method  claim 17  wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (cancelled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating a subject having an alphavirus infection selected from the group consisting of Ross River virus, chikungunya virus and Barmah Forest virus comprising administering daily parenterally by intra-articular or intra-muscular injection an amount of sodium pentosan polysulfate effective to reduce alphavirus induced inflammation and/or alphavirus induced cartilage damage in the subject.