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Importance of the Pig as a Human Biomedical Model

Abstract: Importance of the pig as a human biomedical model - Science Translational Medicine

Pigs have substantial potential as biomedical models for studying human developmental processes, congenital diseases, and pathogen response mechanisms in addition to utility as xenotransplant organ donors and tools for vaccine and drug design. The similarity of pigs to humans in anatomical size and structure, physiology, immunology, and genome enhances their potential as models for humans. Hence, it is imperative that research is relevant and reproducible in animal models that more closely resemble humans, such as the pig. This review summarizes the current status of pigs as an investigative model for humans and highlights their future applications.

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Managing Severe PRRS Outbreaks - Dr. Claire Mtezankuni

Video: Managing Severe PRRS Outbreaks - Dr. Claire Mtezankuni



In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Claire Mtezankuni, Swine Veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service, discusses the growing severity of PRRS outbreaks in sow farms. She explains how respiratory disease and sow mortality are changing outbreak response, why necropsies and bacterial cultures can guide treatment, and how vaccination, biosecurity, pain management, and clear team communication support recovery and elimination. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Emerging PRRS strains can produce severe reproductive and respiratory disease simultaneously, creating substantial health challenges across sow farms during acute outbreaks.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Claire Mtezankuni / claire-mtezankuni-2529b1b3 is a Swine Veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service in Illinois, where her work includes commercial farm veterinary leadership, herd health, disease elimination, and veterinary internship coordination. She holds a DVM from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Systems Health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Learn more from Dr. Claire Mtezankuni on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.