No evidence of pig DNA or retroviral infection in patients with short-term extracorporeal connection to pig kidneys.

• The xenotransplantation of organs and tissues, in particular those from pigs, is viewed as a means to alleviate the shortage of human donor organs and cells available for transplantation and also as a therapy for other diseases. The potential microbiological hazards of xenotransplantation have recently attracted much attention. One concern is over pig endogenous retroviruses (PERV). Until the possible consequences of infection by PERV are better understood it is unlikely that a significant number of porcine xenotransplants will proceed. However, a small number of patients have already been treated with or exposed to living porcine cells or tissue, and investigation of these patients may provide valuable information.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Animals

Chronic Disease

DNA

analysis

Extracorporeal Circulation

Genome

Viral

Glomerulonephritis

therapy

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Renal Dialysis

Retroviridae

genetics

isolation & purification

Retroviridae Infections

transmission

Swine

Time Factors

Viral Envelope Proteins

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)