What viruses are we most concerned about in xenotransplantation?
A number of viruses exist in animal populations and it is possible that these could be introduced into the human population through animal-to-human transplantation. However, research over the last 5 years has shown us that by applying strategies, the risk can be minimised significantly. The virus that is of most concern in animal-to-human transplantation using pigs as the donor species is the porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV). PERV is present in most strains of pigs and cannot be removed by raising pigs in sterile conditions. PERV is harmless in pigs, however laboratory research suggests it is possible that PERV could cause disease in humans through animal-to-human transplantation. The risk can be minimised by using pigs that do not carry the strain. More than 150 people worldwide who have been transplanted with pig tissue or had their blood pass through pig cells have shown no evidence of infection with a virus or any other infectious agent originating from pigs.
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