Live encapsulated porcine islets from a type 1 diabetic patient 9.5 yr after xenotransplantation.

Background: The long-term viability and function of transplanted encapsulated neonatal porcine islets was examined in a diabetic patient.

Methods And Results: A 41-yr-old Caucasian male with type 1 diabetes for 18 yr was given an intraperitoneal transplant of alginate-encapsulated porcine islets at the dose of 15,000 islet equivalents (IEQs)/kg bodyweight (total dose 1,305,000 IEQs) via laparoscopy. By 12 weeks following the transplant, his insulin dose was significantly reduced by 30% (P = 0.

Monitoring for potentially xenozoonotic viruses in New Zealand pigs.

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.