Monitoring for potentially xenozoonotic viruses in New Zealand pigs

Abstract

Shortage of human donor organs for transplantation has prompted evaluation of animals as an alternative donor source. Pigs are the most acceptable candidate animals but issues of xenozoonozes remain. Despite careful monitoring of high-health-status (HHS) pigs, there is still a risk that their tissues may carry infectious agents. Furthermore, pathogens which are significant in xenotransplantation are not necessarily those of veterinary importance. The detection of these potentially transmissible infectious agents may require the development and application of new surveillance technologies. We present data on monitoring for five potentially xenotic viruses in New Zealand pig herds, namely pig cytomegalovirus (PCMV), pig lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV), encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), pigcircovirus (PCV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV). These five viruses are either potentially oncogenic, establish persistent infection, or are known to be zoonotic. This study has expanded significantly the information on porcine viruses in New Zealand. Using this information, it is now possible to complete protocols for monitoring pig herds and tissues prior to their use in xenotransplantation. The study resulted in selection of a possible source herd for swine-to-human islet transplantation.

Monitoring for Presence of Potentially Xenotic Viruses in Recipients of Pig Islet Xenotransplantation

“…Pig cells were obtained from pigs of Large White and Cambrough breeds that had been screened extensively for conventional microorganisms and for viruses of particular relevance to xenotransplantation, namely PLHV, PCMV, and PCV. In none of the tested donor pigs were these viruses found (12).…”

Regulatory aspects of clinical xenotransplantation

“…[27]]. During this period the company thas published about the microbial safety of the source animals [92,93], and presented some preclinical efficacy data in nonhuman primates [94]. From the clinical trials the safety aspects have been published, documenting microbial safety and the absence of PERV transmission [95]: the first report on efficacy documented a reduction in hypoglycemia unawareness, together with a reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin and presence of circulating porcine C-peptide in some of the patients [96].…”

A scoping review of the evidence for public health risks of three emerging potentially zoonotic viruses: hepatitis E virus, norovirus, and rotavirus

“…Domestic swine were the most-studied animal species (n = 428 studies) and prevalence 336 surveys conducted in all continents except Africa, reported detection of HEV, even in 'high 337 health' swine herds (Garkavenko et al, 2004). Prevalence of detection of HEV RNA was 338 reported to range from 0 to 86.2% in swine on-farm ( M a n u s c r i p t 16 T 2 = 4.65); and prevalence of shedding in finishers in North America ranged from 0 to 47.1% 343 with MA summary estimate 23.0% (95% CI (13.2%, 35.8%); I 2 = 89.31; T 2 = 1.18) ( Table 3).…”