According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s latest report citing transplant specialists, David Bennett Sr., the world’s first receiver of a genetically modified pig heart, may have died of ‘a porcine virus’ contained in the pig’s heart.
In January, the Maryland man was on the verge of death. Bennett received a genetically altered pig heart in a groundbreaking xenotransplantation operation as a last-ditch effort to save his life. The 57-year-old, however, died 40 days following the operation, casting doubt on the experiment.
Those engaged in the procedure said there was “no obvious reason identified at the time of his death”. Also, a full study was pending in a statement released in March.
“Following surgery, the transplanted heart performed very well for several weeks without any signs of rejection. His condition began deteriorating several days after the operation,” the University of Maryland Medical Centre (where the operation took place) reportedly stated.
A virus found in the pig’s heart is likely to be the cause of death
Bennett’s heart had porcine cytomegalovirus. It is a preventable condition related to severe consequences on transplants, according to MIT’s latest paper on the subject. “We are beginning to learn why he passed on,” transplant surgeon Bartley Griffith then said. “Maybe, the virus was the actor, or could be the actor, that set this whole thing off, ” he said.
If the virus hadn’t been present in the pig’s heart, would Bennett have survived?
Experts believe that if a pig virus was the reason behind Bennett’s death, it could mean that a virus-free heart could live considerably longer. Some surgeons believe they can screen out the virus using the newest gene-modification techniques and stringent protocols. “If this was an infection, we can likely prevent it in the future,” surgeon Griffith also said.
What does ‘genetically modified’ heart mean?
The human immune system works to target foreign cells with ferocity in a process known as rejection. The body then compulsorily assaults the animal organ in xenotransplantation – cross-species organ transplants – because it perceives it as a foreign substance. Companies have been altering pigs to remove some genes and add others to give their tissue a stealth profile that conceals them from immune attack to avoid rejection.
Another pig virus-related pandemic?
Some researchers are concerned that transferring pig viruses to humans could trigger a new pandemic if a virus adapts inside a patient’s body and then spreads to doctors and nurses. “The concern could be serious enough to require lifelong monitoring for patients,” experts told MIT. The virus detected in Bennett’s donor heart, however, “is not believed capable of infecting human cells,” according to Jay Fishman. He is a transplant infection specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Fishman believes there is “no real risk to humans” from future expansion.
