Concluding remarks
Although not exhaustive, the list of human pathogens for
which porcine models have been used documents the contribution
and the advantages of pigs in the study of human
infectious diseases. Considering the comparable size and
similarities in the skin, respiratory and digestive tracts, and
the immune system, the pig offers an attractive intermediate
animal model for testing of both novel antigen-delivery
platforms for skin and mucosal antigen administration and
immunostimulants before moving to expensive primate
models or to clinical trials. Furthermore, with the development
of porcine transgenesis [72], greater possibilities to
induce or modulate infectious diseases should be forthcoming.
Over the next few years there is no doubt that the pig
model will be increasingly accepted as the alternative large
animal model to the well-established mouse model (Box 5).