Organ xenotransplantation acceptance in veterinary students: A multicentric opinion study in Spain

BACKGROUND

The shortage of available transplant organs has made it necessary to search for alternatives, one of which is xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs could face rejection from society and the personnel involved in its implementation.

OBJECTIVES

(a) to analyze the attitudes of Veterinary Degree students in six Spanish Universities towards xenotransplantation; and (b) to determine the factors that affect its acceptance.

METHODS

Of the 2815 students surveyed in the degree program, 2683 valid surveys were obtained. Attitudes towards organ xenotransplantation were evaluated using a validated questionnaire of organ donation.

RESULTS

If xenotransplantation was confirmed as a clinical reality, 93% (n = 2493) of those surveyed would accept a xenotransplanted organ, whilst 7% would not. If the results of xenotransplantation were worse than those obtained with human donors and it entailed more risk, 12% (n = 318) would be in favor. 56% (n = 1497) of the students would accept a xenotransplantation provisionally pending the arrival of a human organ. Attitudes towards xenotransplantation were affected by the academic year in which a student was studying, with more favorable attitudes among students in the last year (88% in first year vs. 95% in fifth year; p < .001). More favorable attitudes are also observed depending on the attitude they have towards organ transplantation, with those students being more in favor of donating their organs when they die (94% vs. 88%; p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Veterinary students would have a very favorable attitude toward xenotransplantation if these animal organs functioned as well as human organs. Therefore, these students could play an important role in the future promotion of this technique.

Veterinary Spanish Students' Attitude Toward Presumed Consent in Organ Donation

Veterinarians often are involved in transplantation research projects. They are a fundamental social group who can influence public opinion about organ donation and transplantation (ODT).

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to determine the knowledge of Spanish veterinary students about the concept of brain death and the law of presumed consent.

METHODS

A sociologic, multicenter, and observational study was carried out in the veterinary students enrolled in Spain (n = 9000) in a complete academic year. A sample of 2815 students was stratified by geographic area and academic year. The students' attitudes on the psychosocial aspects of ODT were evaluated using a psychosocial validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO Rios). It was self-administered and completed anonymously. Veterinary schools were randomly selected. The questionnaire was applied to each academic year at compulsory sessions.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Student t test, χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

The completion rate was 91% (n = 2558). Of students, 66% (n = 1664) understood the concept of brain death, 30% had doubts, whereas 5% believed that a person with brain death can recover and lead a normal life. Concerning legislation, 63% (n = 1615) were against the law of presumed consent, and 37% were in favor. An analysis of variables determining more favorable acceptance of the law showed that year of study (P = .000), knowing a donor (P = .020), and attitude toward ODT (P = .000) did have an effect on acceptance. Most students, 71% (n = 1875), were interested in attending a talk about ODT.

CONCLUSION

Only 37% of Spanish veterinary students would accept the law of presumed consent. Most students were interested in attending an informative talk about ODT.

Attitude Toward Organ Donation and Transplantation in Veterinary Students: A Multicenter and Stratified Study in Spain

BACKGROUND

Veterinarians often hold decision-making positions in the public health care system and can therefore influence public opinion about organ donation and transplantation (ODT). The aim of this work was to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinary students toward ODT, because they may influence public opinion in the future, and to determine the factors that condition it.

METHODS

This was a sociologic, interdisciplinary, multicenter, observational study in Spain. The study population was students studying for a veterinary degree in Spain (n = 9000), and a sample of 2815 students (confidence of 99% and precision of ±1%) was stratified by geographic area and academic year. A validated questionnaire of attitude toward ODT (PCID-DTO-Ríos) was self-administered and anonymous.

RESULTS

Of the 2815 selected students (2790 plus the 0.9% per type of sample), 2650 completed the questionnaire (response rate, 94.14%): 83% (n = 2207) of the respondents were in favor of donation and 17% against. The following main variables were related to a favorable attitude: being female (odds ratio [OR], 0.752; P = .034); knowing a donor (OR, 1.834; P = .003); having discussed the matter with one's family (OR, 1.587; P = .002); having spoken about the subject in social circles with friends (OR, 1.633; P < .001), and being in favor of donating a deceased family member's organs (OR, 2.403; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Seventeen percent of Spanish veterinary students were not in favor of ODT. It is important to know the factors that determine their attitude, because this will make it possible to optimize the resources invested in campaigns to promote ODT and to take more specific action.

Veterinary Students' Attitude Toward Living Kidney Donation: A Multicenter Stratified Study From Spain

Living kidney related donations (LKRD) should be promoted because of the current deficit of organs for transplantation. The objective of the study was to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinary students toward LKRD, because they may influence public opinion in the future, and to determine the factors that condition it.

METHODS

A sociological, interdisciplinary, multicenter, and observational study was carried out in the veterinary students enrolled in Spain (n = 9000) in the university academic year 2010-2011. A sample of 2815 students was stratified by geographical area and academic year. The students' attitude toward LKRD was assessed using a psychosocial validated questionnaire (PCID-DVR Rios), was self-administered, and was completed anonymously. Veterinary schools were randomly selected. The questionnaire was applied to each academic year at compulsory sessions. Statistical analysis was preformed using t test, χ² test, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The completion rate was 95% (n = 2683); 93% (n = 2504) were in favor of LKRD and 36% (n = 945) supported unrelated living kidney donation. The following variables were associated with having a more favorable attitude: (1) sex (P < .001), (2) being a student of southern universities (P = .03), (3) attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001), (4) having a father (P < .001) or a mother (P < .001) in favor of organ donation, and (5) having discussed the subject with friends (P = .03) or family (P = .02). However, only 60% would accept a kidney from a relative.

CONCLUSION

Spanish veterinary students have a favorable attitude toward LKRD. However, only 60% would accept a kidney from a relative.

Multicenter Stratified Study From Spain About Acceptance of Living Liver Donation Among Veterinarian Students

Veterinarians often hold decision-making positions in the public health care system, and therefore can influence public opinion about organ donation. The objective is to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinarian students toward living liver donation (LLD) and to establish which factors have an influence on this attitude.

METHODS

A sociological, interdisciplinary, multicenter, and observational study was carried out in the veterinarian students enrolled in Spain (n = 9000) (university academic year 2010-2011). A sample of 2854 students was stratified by geographic area and academic year. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DVH RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. The questionnaire was applied to each academic year at compulsory sessions at randomly selected veterinary schools. Statistical analysis included t test, χ² test, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Completion rate was 94% (n = 2683); 89% (n = 2345) were in favor of related LLD, and 40% (n = 1053) supported unrelated LLD. The following variables were associated with a more favorable attitude: (1) age (P < .001), (2) sex (P < .001), (3) academic year (P < .001), (4) believing in the possibility of needing a transplant oneself in the future (P < .001), (5) attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001), (6) attitude toward living kidney donation (P < .001), (7) acceptance of a donated liver segment from a family member if one were needed (P < .001), (8) having discussed the subject with one's family (P = .009) and friends (P < .001), (9) a partner's opinion about the subject (P = .002), and (10) fear of the possible mutilation of the body after donation (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Spanish veterinary students have a favorable attitude toward LLD.

Molecular analysis of three Clostridium difficile strain genomes isolated from pig farm-related samples

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic spore-forming bacillus that usually causes gastrointestinal disorders in man and other animal species. Most of the strains isolated from animals are toxigenic being the virulent ribotype (RT) 078 predominant in several animal species. Although C. difficile is pathogenic to both humans and animals, there is no direct evidence of zoonosis. Deep genome sequencing provides sufficient resolution to analyse which strains found in animals might be related to human pathogens. So far, there are only a few fully sequenced genomes of C. difficile strains isolated from domestic and wild animals. Using Illumina technology, we have sequenced the genome of three isolates; a strain isolated from the vagina of a sow (5754), one from rat (Rattus spp) intestinal content (RC10) and a third one isolated from environmental rat faeces (RF17). Both, rat and rat faeces were sampled in fattening pig farms. Our study reveals a close genetic relationship of two of these isolates with the virulent strain M120 (RT078) isolated from a human patient. The analysis of the sequences has revealed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, mobile elements, including the transposon linked with virulence Tn6164, and the similarity of virulence factors between these isolates and human strains. This is the first study focused on the sequencing of C. difficile genomes obtained from wild animals like rats, which can be considered as potential reservoirs for humans and other animal species. This study can help to understand the genome composition and epidemiology of this bacterium species.