Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of PERV
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
PERV: Acronym for the porcine endogenous retrovirus, a pig virus that splices into DNA. PERV belongs to the same class of viruses as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some of the concern about pig-to-human transplantation revolves around PERV.