| abstract |
The present invention is related to the use of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) for the treatment of viral infections and infectious diseases caused by viruses, in aquatic organisms. PACAP alone, or in combination with an antiviral molecule, administered orally, by injection or by immersion baths, demonstrates its effectiveness by increasing the survival of fish or crustaceans infected by viruses. In addition, after application it is observed that the body weight of these organisms remains the same or increases compared to that of infected and untreated organisms with such preparations. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of tissues and organs susceptible to viral infection demonstrates that PACAP or combinations containing PACAP decrease the viral load in infected organisms. |