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Microbiological safety of porcine islets: comparison with source pig
Author(s) -
Abrahante Juan E.,
Martins Kyra,
Papas Klearchos K.,
Hering Bernhard J.,
Schuurman HenkJan,
Murtaugh Michael P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
xenotransplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.052
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1399-3089
pISSN - 0908-665X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3089.2011.00632.x
Subject(s) - xenotransplantation , biology , virology , islet , herd , virus , transplantation , spleen , transmission (telecommunications) , porcine circovirus , miniature swine , immunology , diabetes mellitus , medicine , endocrinology , zoology , engineering , electrical engineering
Abrahante JE, Martins K, Papas KK, Hering BJ, Schuurman H‐J, Murtaugh MP. Microbiological safety of porcine islets: comparison with source pig. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 88–93. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Pig islet donors intended for clinical xenotransplantation for the treatment of diabetes must meet stringent conditions. Among others, viruses with the potential to cross the species barrier should be excluded from the herd: this list includes encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) and porcine γ‐lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV). As an islet product is isolated from the pancreas and then subjected to culture before implantation, the question is raised whether islets could be negative even if the animal itself is positive for a distinct pathogen. Methods: To answer this question, sensitive quantitative real‐time PCR assays were established for EMCV, HEV, PCMV and PLHV. Twelve adult animals from a high‐hygienic herd were then evaluated; testing tissues, where the virus is expected to reside in latent infection, testing islets immediately after isolation, and then isolated islets after a 7‐day culture. Results: None of the tissues tested positive for EMCV, HEV or PLHV. PCMV was observed in spleen tissue from six animals: three of these six animals were positive for isolated islets, and two of these three cases were also positive for islets after culture. Older animals in particular showed positivity, and within a given litter not all animals were PCMV positive. Conclusions: These data fit with spread through the herd by horizontal transmission, not in utero infection. PCMV has to be excluded from the herd to ensure that islets for transplantation are negative for PCMV.