Pathogen elimination and prevention within a regulated, Designated Pathogen Free, closed pig herd for long‐term breeding and production of xenotransplantation materials

Abstract

Ten years after PCV clearance following the second outbreak, due to strict adherence to biosecurity protocols and based on ongoing sentinel diagnostic monitoring (currently monthly), the herd remains DPF including PCV negative.

Theme issue on infections and safety—An introduction

“…Indeed, this has been previously observed and is now confirmed . Noordergraaf et al provide important lessons when populating a source animal facility, especially in their contamination with circovirus. Further information is reported by Egerer et al, demonstrating the elimination of porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) by early weaning prior to the settlement of a new pig facility.…”

Xenotransplantation literature update, July/August 2018

“…In a detailed description of the Spring Point Project in Minneapolis, Minnesota Noordergraaf et al explain how after pigs in multiple groups were found to have porcine circoviruses by PCR testing, they tracked outbreaks to sources such as grease in stainless steel pens and aspects of sterilization steps. The Spring Point Project has successfully halted outbreaks of porcine circoviruses through critical analysis of all steps of production . They present instructions for readers on how to effectively contain, and ultimately prevent, infectious risks in pig barrier housing buildings.…”

Sensitive detection systems for infectious agents in xenotransplantation*

“…Numerous assays for the detection of porcine microorganisms, first of all of viruses, have been developed and applied. Systematic analysis of pig colonies bred for xenotransplantation and used in first preclinical and clinical trials as well as other pig breeds has been performed ( Table 1, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] ). Successful elimination of viruses such as PCMV 17 and PCV 16 from breeding colonies has been achieved.…”

“…Systematic analysis of pig colonies bred for xenotransplantation and used in first preclinical and clinical trials as well as other pig breeds has been performed ( Table 1, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] ). Successful elimination of viruses such as PCMV 17 and PCV 16 from breeding colonies has been achieved. On the other hand, successful preclinical trials have been performed without analyzing viruses in the donor pig and host animals, for example, reversal of diabetes for more than 100 days was achieved in cynomolgus macaques after intraportal transplantation of cultured islets from genetically unmodified pigs without Galspecific antibody manipulation.…”