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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Orthotopic Kidney Auto-Transplantation in a Porcine Model Using 24 Hours Organ Preservation And Continuous Telemetry
Published on: August 21, 2020
MYROIDES INFECTION IN A BABOON AFTER PROLONGED PIG KIDNEY GRAFT SURVIVAL
Hong Liu1, Hayato Iwase2, Martin Wijkstrom2
1Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA ; Department of General Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Background:
Immunosuppressed patients and experimental nonhuman primates are at risk of opportunistic infection. We report a Myroides spp infection in an immunosuppressed baboon that had received a life-supporting kidney from a genetically-engineered pig.
Case Report:
The baboon received a costimulation blockade-based immunosuppressive regimen as well as two anti-inflammatory agents (tocilizumab and etanercept). Although the pig kidney functioned well, approximately four months after the transplant the baboon became less active and ate and drank poorly. On day 136, it collapsed and died despite inotropic and fluid support. A blood culture drawn before death grew Myroides spp.
Discussion And Conclusions:
To our knowledge, Myroides spp has not been reported as a cause of opportunistic infection in either patients with organ allotransplants or experimental animals. We summarize what is known about this rare organism, and suggest it should be considered in any immunocompromised patient or animal. In the present case, we suggest the baboon died of circulatory shock following infection through an indwelling intravenous catheter.
