Bovine and ovine deltapapillomavirus coinfection associated with equine sarcoid.
Abstract: Papillomaviruses (PV) are significant agents capable of inducing simple, multiple, and/or proliferative lesions in the dermis and epidermis of animals, known as cutaneous papillomatosis. These lesions can be benign or malignant and have been identified in various hosts, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. PVs are strictly species- and tissue-specific, although some established and unusual cases of cross-infection, such as BPV in equine sarcoids, have been reported. Sarcoids are horses' most common skin tumors, which can be locally aggressive and cause significant clinical signs. It is recurrently associated with Bos taurus papillomavirus (BPV) and, more recently, Ovis aries papillomavirus (OaPV). Interestingly, OaPV2s, initially identified in sheep, have been detected in other species, such as horses, cattle, and pigs. Therefore, the present study aimed to detect and sequence PVs in an equine sarcoid through rolling circle amplification followed by high-throughput sequencing (RCA-HTS) on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequencing yielded 387,923 reads and 17 contigs classified as Deltapapillomavirus genus. A complete BPV1 genome, with 99% coverage, was sequenced, and partial E1 and L1 genes of OaPV2 were detected. Histopathological analysis revealed fibroblastic sarcoid, which has been associated with BPV1 and OaPVs. Our results agree with recent BPV and OaPV2 association observations in sarcoid lesions in equine and swine. This broad host range of OaPVs deserves attention, as it may indicate potential interspecies transmission that is not yet fully understood, especially in coinfections, which could influence viral dynamics, transmission patterns, and disease outcomes. Until now, only OaPV1, 3, and 4 had been detected in equine sarcoids; thus, this is the first detection of OaPV2 in an equine sarcoid. In conclusion, OaPV2 should be considered a potential etiological agent of sarcoids, particularly in association with BPV1.
© 2025. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.
Publication Date: 2025-08-22 PubMed ID: 40844556PubMed Central: PMC12660604DOI: 10.1007/s42770-025-01759-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Overview
- This research investigates the presence of bovine and ovine deltapapillomaviruses in equine sarcoid tumors, providing evidence of coinfection and expanding knowledge on viral involvement in these common horse skin tumors.
Background on Papillomaviruses and Sarcoids
- Pv Characteristics:
- PVs are viruses that cause skin lesions—including papillomas or tumors—in a wide variety of animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
- They typically have strict species and tissue specificity, meaning each virus usually infects certain species and tissue types.
- However, some exceptions exist where PVs infect other species, which is unusual but reported, like bovine papillomavirus (BPV) in horses.
- Sarcoids in Horses:
- Sarcoids are the most common skin tumors in horses and are characterized by aggressive but non-metastatic growth.
- They cause clinical issues due to their persistence and local invasiveness.
- Previous studies link sarcoids primarily to BPV, especially BPV1 and BPV2.
- More recently, ovine papillomaviruses (OaPV), specifically found in sheep, have also been implicated in these tumors.
- Cross-Species Infection:
- OaPV2, initially discovered in sheep, has been detected in various other species including horses, cattle, and pigs.
- This cross-species detection raises questions about interspecies viral transmission and its implications.
Research Aim and Methodology
- The study aimed to detect and analyze papillomavirus genomes in an equine sarcoid sample.
- Techniques used:
- Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA): A technique to amplify circular viral DNA efficiently.
- High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) on Illumina MiSeq platform: Allowed comprehensive sequencing and identification of papillomavirus genomes in the sample.
- Data generated:
- 387,923 sequencing reads
- 17 contigs classified into the Deltapapillomavirus genus
Key Findings
- Viral Genomes Detected:
- A nearly complete genome of BPV1 was sequenced with 99% coverage.
- Partial sequences of the E1 and L1 genes of OaPV2 were identified, indicating coinfection.
- Histopathology:
- The lesion was confirmed to be a fibroblastic sarcoid, a type commonly associated with BPV1 and ovine papillomaviruses.
- Novelty:
- This is the first reported detection of OaPV2 in an equine sarcoid.
- Previously, only OaPV1, 3, and 4 had been found in such lesions.
Implications and Conclusions
- Broadened Host Range:
- The detection of OaPV2 in horses suggests a wider host range for these viruses than previously recognized.
- This might mean interspecies transmission is occurring but not yet fully understood.
- Coinfection Impact:
- Coexistence of BPV1 and OaPV2 in sarcoids could influence how viruses interact, their transmission dynamics, and disease severity or outcomes.
- Etiological Considerations:
- OaPV2 should be considered a potential causative agent in sarcoids, especially when found alongside BPV1.
- Future Directions:
- Further research is needed to understand mechanisms of cross-species infection and coinfection effects.
- Understanding these viral dynamics might guide better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for equine sarcoids.
Cite This Article
APA
Pereira EL, Pereira GR, Osório ML, Terra JLA, Gayger JB, Gularte JS, Demoliner M, Pereira VMAG, Filippi M, de Matos QS, Tessman A, Canal CW, Daudt C, Silva FC, Sita A, Fleck JS, Weber MN, Almeida PR, Spilki FR, da Silva MS.
(2025).
Bovine and ovine deltapapillomavirus coinfection associated with equine sarcoid.
Braz J Microbiol, 56(4), 2901-2908.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-025-01759-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Virologia Geral e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Virologia Geral e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
- ¹Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil. marianasilva2@feevale.br.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Papillomavirus Infections / veterinary
- Papillomavirus Infections / virology
- Coinfection / veterinary
- Coinfection / virology
- Cattle
- Skin Neoplasms / veterinary
- Skin Neoplasms / virology
- Skin Neoplasms / pathology
- Sheep
- Deltapapillomavirus / genetics
- Deltapapillomavirus / isolation & purification
- Deltapapillomavirus / classification
- Cattle Diseases / virology
- Sheep Diseases / virology
- Phylogeny
- Genome, Viral
Grant Funding
- 405786/2022-0 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- 001 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- 23/2551-0002221-4 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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