Emerging models in the U.S.A.: swine, woodchucks, and the hairless guinea pig.
Swine have been used in biomedical research for many years, but have generally been limited to those locations with personnel familiar with this species and with specially designed facilities and equipment. There is currently a growing trend in the United States for more swine, both miniature and domestic to be used as research models. Commercial availability, education through workshops and symposia, and specific research applicability in the areas such as: organ transplantation, cardiovascular surgery, nutrition, diabetes, dermatology, and renal physiology have all contributed to the increased usage of swine. Additionally, increasing costs and public concern about the use of random source dogs and cats have also resulted in a refocus on swine as a laboratory animal model. The woodchuck (Marmota monax) has recently gained a role as a laboratory animal model when it was discovered that woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is closely related to hepatitis B virus in humans (HBV). Chronic infections in woodchucks with WHV have shown protein particles in their blood which are similar to the Australian antigen found on the surface of HBV. There is also immunologic response similarities by the respective host to these viruses. These findings have resulted in a number of laboratories using the woodchuck in infectious disease comparative research studies. A euthymic hairless guinea pig has been described in Canada and recently been produced on a limited basis commercially in the United States. For dermatologic studies requiring an immunocompetent animal model the hairless guinea pig may prove useful. time to have the ability to add
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008392:Marmota; D012107:Research Design; D012589:Sciuridae; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine; D014481:United States