5-8 Many microorganisms do not cause disease in their natural hosts, but have serious pathogenic potential when transmitted to another species. In organ transplants, natural barriers such as skin, mucosal surfaces, and the environment of the stomach are bypassed. 5 Transplant patients who are intentionally immunosuppressed to prevent rejection of grafted material are more likely to contract diseases from host pathogens. Some experimenters have claimed that pig organs are less likely to harbor disease-causing viruses. The virus is apparently present in all domestic pigs, and one strain quickly invades human cells, permanently inhabiting the new host's system.
Xenotransplants are risky and expensive.
They are not treatments, but experiments that have been universal failures. Washington Regional Transplant Consortium. Roels L, Vanrenterghem Y, Waer M, Gruwez J, Michielsen P. Effect of a presumed consent law on organ retrieval in Belgium. United Network for Organ Sharing. U.S. Transplants by Organ Donor and Type.