Bovine Papillomavirus DNA and S100 Profiles in Sarcoids and Other Cutaneous Spindle Cell Tumors in Horses.

The research explores the association of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) DNA and S100 immunohistochemistry in equine diseases such as sarcoids and peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST). Investigators proposed that these elements can serve as diagnostic variables. The research revealed that BPV is associated with various types of equine skin-related spindle cell soft tissue tumors, while S100 is rarely found but could be present in certain tumor types.

Methodology

• The research involved analyzing 197 skin-related spindle cell tumors, including PNSTs and sarcoids submitted to the University of Florida from 1995 to 2013.
• The researchers utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting BPV DNA and performed S100 immunohistochemistry on preserved paraffin-embedded tissues.

Findings

• BPV DNA was found in a significant percentage of the investigated tumors – 70% of the sarcoids, 59% of the PNSTs, 37% of the fibrosarcomas, and 22% of other tumors (myxosarcomas, fibromas, and additional sarcomas).
• S100 staining was observed only in a minimal number (12) of the investigated tumors, including 5 fibrosarcomas, 3 sarcoids, 2 PNSTs, and 2 other sarcomas.

Significance of the Study

• The results demonstrate that BPV is not limited to sarcoids but is associated with many skin-associated spindle cell soft tissue tumors in horses.
• S100, despite being rarely expressed in equine soft tissue sarcomas in the skin, was detected in several tumor types, signifying its relevance in diagnostic procedures.
• The research findings emphasized the idea of classifying tumors not as PNSTs or sarcoids but rather as soft tissue sarcomas, given that 41% of the histomorphologically classified PNSTs were BPV negative, and 94% were S100 negative.