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 suffering from arthralgia resulting from an arthralgia causing alphavirus infection comprising administering by the parenteral route an amount of pentosan polysulfate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, effective to reduce the pain of the arthralgia in a joint or muscle of the subject without affecting the viral clearance in that joint. 
     
     
         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 arthralgia causing 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 any one of  claim 1  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 of  claim 17  wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a human subject suffering from arthralgia resulting from an arthralgia causing alphavirus infection comprising administering by the parenteral route an amount of sodium pentosan polysulfate within the range of from 2.0 to 5.0 mg/kg body weight of the subject, so as to effectively reduce the pain of the arthralgia in a joint or muscle of the subject without affecting the viral clearance in that joint. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the virus is Ross River virus. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the virus is chikungunya virus. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the virus is Barmah Forest virus.