Equimune IV

Equimune IV is a USDA-approved veterinary biologic immunostimulant manufactured by NovaVive USA Inc. (formerly Bioniche) for use in horses. The active ingredient is a mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF), which functions as a nonspecific immunotherapeutic agent. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of Equine Respiratory Disease Complex (ERDC) of viral origin, including infections caused by equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis) and equine influenza A. Equimune IV works by activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and enhancing the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), which in turn amplifies both cell-mediated immunity and humoral antibody responses. The drug is administered as a single 1.5 mL dose via intravenous injection into the jugular vein and has also been utilized off-label to boost immunity in horses suffering from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).

Brand names

Equimune IV

Other names

Mycobacterium cell wall fractionMCWF