Detection of Equine Papillomaviruses and Gamma-Herpesviruses in Equine Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Abstract: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) seriously compromises the health and welfare of affected horses. Although robust evidence points to equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) causing genital lesions, the etiopathogenesis of equine SCC is still poorly understood. We screened a series of SCCs from the head-and-neck (HN), (peri-)ocular and genital region, and site-matched controls for the presence of EcPV2-5 and herpesvirus DNA using type-specific EcPV PCR, and consensus nested herpesvirus PCR followed by sequencing. EcPV2 DNA was detected in 45.5% of HN lesions, 8.3% of (peri-)ocular SCCs, and 100% of genital tumors, whilst control samples from tumor-free horses except one tested EcPV-negative. Two HNSCCs harbored EcPV5, and an ocular lesion EcPV4 DNA. Herpesvirus DNA was detected in 63.6%, 66.6%, 47.2%, and 14.2% of horses with HN, ocular, penile, and vulvar SCCs, respectively, and mainly identified as equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV2), 5 (EHV5) or asinine herpesvirus 5 (AsHV5) DNA. In the tumor-free control group, 9.6% of oral secretions, 46.6% of ocular swabs, 47% of penile samples, and 14.2% of vaginal swabs scored positive for these herpesvirus types. This work further highlights the role of EcPV2 as an oncovirus and is the first to provide information on the prevalence of (gamma-)herpesviruses in equine SCCs.
Publication Date: 2023-01-23 PubMed ID: 36839451PubMed Central: PMC9958655DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020179Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research seeks to understand the factors behind the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses, particularly the potential role of equine papillomavirus (EcPV) and gamma-herpesviruses. The team examined SCCs from different regions of the body and compared the prevalence of EcPV types 2-5 and herpesviruses in these tumors to control samples from healthy horses.
Methods
- SCCs were sourced from different parts of horse bodies, specifically the head-and-neck (HN), peri-ocular and genital region. Healthy, tumor-free horses were used for control samples.
- These samples were screened for the presence of EcPV2-5 and herpesvirus DNA.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction) methods followed by sequencing were used to detect these viruses in the samples.
Findings
- EcPV2 was detected in 45.5% of HN lesions, 8.3% of ocular tumors, and 100% of genital tumors.
- Control samples from tumor-free horses tested EcPV-negative, except for one sample, signifying a strong link between EcPV2 and SCC in horses.
- Herpesvirus was also detected but varied more in its occurrence. It was found in 63.6% of horses with HN SCCs, 66.6% with ocular SCCs, 47.2% with penile SCCs, and 14.2% of vulvar SCCs.
- The herpesviruses mainly identified were equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV2), 5 (EHV5) or asinine herpesvirus 5 (AsHV5).
- In the tumor-free control group, these herpesvirus types were much less prevalent, further supporting their potential role in SCC development.
Conclusion
- The research reinforces the role of EcPV2 as an oncovirus (a virus that can cause cancer) in horses.
- This study is also the first to provide details regarding the prevalence of gamma-herpesviruses in equine SCCs, adding to the understanding of these tumors’ etiopathogenesis – the cause of and mechanisms behind the development of disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Miglinci L, Reicher P, Nell B, Koch M, Jindra C, Brandt S.
(2023).
Detection of Equine Papillomaviruses and Gamma-Herpesviruses in Equine Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Pathogens, 12(2), 179.
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020179 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- Clinical Unit of Ophthalmology, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria.
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Schwarz S, Kummer S, Klang A, Walter I, Nell B, Brandt S. Detection of vasculogenic mimicry in equine ocular, oronasal, and genital squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2026;21(1):e0328584.
- Tuomisto L, Virtanen J, Kegler K, Levanov L, Sukura A, Sironen T, Kareskoski M. Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2)-associated benign penile lesions and squamous cell carcinomas. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jan;10(1):e1342.
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