Cutaneous plaques associated with a putative novel papillomavirus type in a horse.
Abstract: A 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare developed multiple flat plaques, < 1 cm in diameter, on the left front fetlock. These were treated topically using 5-fluorouracil and resolved after 4 weeks. However, additional similar plaques developed on the left front pastern 5 months later. These lesions resolved within 3 months without treatment. Unassigned: One plaque that developed initially and one plaque that developed later were examined histologically. Both consisted of well-demarcated foci of moderate epidermal hyperplasia. Scattered throughout both plaques were cells showing evidence of papillomavirus-induced cell changes and the same papillomaviral DNA sequence was amplified from both lesions using PCR. As the novel sequence had 79.1% similarity to a partial sequence previously amplified from an equine cutaneous wart and 67.9% similarity to Equus caballus papillomavirus type 1, these results indicate detection of a putative novel papillomavirus type. Unassigned: Multiple cutaneous plaques due to infection by a novel papillomavirus type. Unassigned: Unlike more typical equine cutaneous warts which generally appear as pedunculated and filiform masses, the lesions in this horse appeared as raised plaques. With the exception of aural plaques that are confined to the ears, localised clusters of papillomaviral plaques have not been previously described in horses. The lesions contained subtle histological evidence of papillomavirus infection and careful examination is required to differentiate these plaques from pre-neoplastic lesions. The plaques contained a putative novel papillomavirus type. These results increase the spectrum of papillomavirus-induced skin disease in horses.
Publication Date: 2023-01-12 PubMed ID: 36484093DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2022.2157347Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper discusses the case of a 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare that developed skin plaques related to a new type of papillomavirus. The study presents a detailed analysis of the disease evolution, treatment, histological findings and DNA sequencing results to support the detection of this putative novel papillomavirus type in horses.
Case Overview
- The Thoroughbred mare in question developed multiple flat skin plaques, all less than 1 cm in diameter, found on the left front fetlock. These plaques treated with topical 5-fluorouracil disappeared after a month. But, five months later, the horse developed similar plaques on the left front pastern, which resolved in three months without any treatment. This fluctuating pattern of the disease indicated a possible persistent infection in the horse.
Lesion Examination
- The team examined two of the plaques histologically for further investigation. The structure of the plaques had well-defined areas of moderate epidermal hyperplasia, revealing increased cell production in the skin — a characteristic finding in papillomavirus infections. The plaques also demonstrated cells showing evidence of changes triggered by a papillomavirus infection.
Virus Detection and Comparison
- Tests confirmed that the same papillomavirus DNA sequence from both initial and later-developed lesions. Researchers compared this novel sequence with previously recorded DNA sequences of equine cutaneous warts and Equus caballus papillomavirus type 1. They discovered that this novel sequence had 79.1% resemblance to the first and 67.9% to the latter. The comparisons suggested the existence of a new type of papillomavirus.
Observations and Conclusions
- The horse’s lesions differed from typical equine skin warts, as these presented as raised plaques rather than pedunculated and filiform masses. Histological evidence of papillomavirus infection was subtle within these plaques, and careful examination was required to distinguish them from pre-neoplastic lesions, which are early signs of cancerous growth.
- Taken together, these results widen the range of known skin diseases in horses caused by papillomaviruses, illustrating the presence of a putative novel papillomavirus type.
Cite This Article
APA
Munday JS, Grant K, Orbell G, Vaatstra BL.
(2023).
Cutaneous plaques associated with a putative novel papillomavirus type in a horse.
N Z Vet J, 71(2), 100-105.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2022.2157347 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- South Wairarapa Veterinary Services, Carterton, New Zealand.
- Gribbles Veterinary Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- Gribbles Veterinary Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Female
- Papillomavirus Infections / veterinary
- Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis
- Skin Neoplasms / veterinary
- Skin / pathology
- Papillomaviridae / genetics
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Horse Diseases
- DNA, Viral / genetics
Citations
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