Pigs are also remarkably similar to humans in terms of physiology. Both species are omnivorous and
their organs generally share common functional features
[2,3]. Highlighting these similarities, pig-to-primate organ
transplantation models are being used successfully [4].
Three principal types of animal models are usually
mentioned: (i) spontaneous, (ii) experimentally induced,
and (iii) transgenic. The two more common types are
spontaneous and experimentally induced, whereas the
third type has only been used extensively in the mouse.
In this review we focus on advantages of the porcine
model (Box 2) over the mouse model in the study of infectious
diseases and discuss cases where pig models have
made an impact.