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Pythiosis results from the infection with the fungal-like organism Pythium insidiosum and occurs in Equines, Canines, Felines, Bovines and Humans. This disease is also known as Phycomycosis, “Florida horse leeches”, Swamp Cancer and other colloquial names. The disease is worldwide in distribution and is especially prevalent in tropical regions. Recently, numerous cases have been reported in the Midwest and Northeast United States and as far north as Wisconsin.

Pythiosis is characterized by a severe, local, Type 4 allergic reaction. The site of infection is populated with a cellular response typical of a T Helper 2 subset (eosinophils, mast cells, and lymphocytes) and demonstrates high levels of the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 4. Clinically the patient develops a tumor like lesion which progresses to become an inflamed lesion which grows quickly, becoming necrotic and serosanguineous. In chronic cases the lesion invades the bone, musculature and viscera. If left untreated the infection Pythiosis is life-threatening and most animals do no live beyond six to nine months.

Treatment has been limited to various antifungal compounds which are generally of limited effect and surgical rescission of the infection site. While surgery has been effective in some cases it is often impossible to completely excise the infection and re-establishment of the lesion is common.

PAVL Pythium immunotherapy consists of a series of injections of purified soluble proteins of Pythium insidiosum. The soluble proteins modulate the immune response by switching the T Helper 2 (allergic) subset to a protective and curative T Helper 1 (non allergic) subset. This immunomodulation diminishes the inflammation and necrosis and eliminates the hyphae of Pythium insidiosum. PAVL PYTHIUM IMMUNOTHERAPY has demonstrated greater than 95% success in acute infections (<30 days), and 75% success in chronic cases (30-90 days). When used in conjunction with surgery and anti fungals 90% success can be achieved in chronic cases. In cases of greater than 90 days duration the success is reduced to 50% or less.