Viral infections of pigs used for medical education. A Japanese experience

Abstract

Infectious viruses pose a threat to all living organisms, including humans, and can cause significant morbidity. Previous experience with pigs in medical education and research, rather than in domestic control settings, has led to a unique perspective on viral infections in swine. In this article, common porcine infectious diseases have been listed, based mainly on the authors’ experience thus far. For example, young domestic pigs that were used in surgical training and infected with hepatitis E were subjected to quarantine and isolation treatment, and attempts were made to develop a DNA vaccine for swine influenza arising from swine-to-human transmission. More recent research has focused on preventing infection by the African swine virus, a current threat. We hope that this article of porcine infectious diseases identified at the School of Medicine will help develop a breakthrough with regard to coronavirus disease.