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Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians2021; 52(1); 28-37; doi: 10.1638/2020-0166

Equine Sarcoids in Captive Wild Equids: Diagnostic and Clinical Management of 16 Cases – A Possible Predisposition of the European Cohort of Somali Wild Ass (Equus africanus somaliensis)?

Abstract: Equine sarcoids (ES) were diagnosed in 12 Somali wild asses (SWA) () from 10 different institutions of the SWA European Endangered Species Programme from 1976 to 2019. Samples of surgically excised masses, biopsies, or necropsy samples were submitted for histologic and virologic analysis. In addition, tissue samples from one onager (), one kulan (), and two Hartmann's mountain zebras (HMZ) () were examined. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of ES exhibiting the typical microscopic features. Polymerase chain reaction detected bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) DNA in eight SWA samples and bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV2) DNA in one SWA sample. The onager, kulan, and one HMZ sample tested positive for BPV1. The other HMZ tested positive for BPV1 and BPV2. This is the first report of ES in an onager. Surgical excision was the treatment elected by most veterinarians. A follow-up survey of the cases over several years after clinical diagnosis and therapy revealed variable individual outcome with ES recurrence in four cases. Three SWA and the kulan were euthanized due to the severity of the lesions. Nine affected SWA were males with seven having a sarcoid located at the prepuce. Because a genetic disposition is a risk factor for the development of ES in horses, this may also be true for endangered wild equids with few founder animals in their studbook history. Innovative approaches regarding therapy and prevention of ES in wild equids are therefore highly encouraged.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-09 PubMed ID: 33827158DOI: 10.1638/2020-0166Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates equine sarcoids (ES), which are skin tumors, in Somali wild asses (SWA) and other wild equids. The research, which spanned over four decades, involved histologic and virologic analysis of the specimens. The health outcomes varied but it was inferred that ongoing research and innovative approaches to treatment and prevention of ES were important.

Objectives of the Study

  • The study aimed to investigate cases of equine sarcoids (ES), a type of skin tumor common in horses, in wild equids — specifically among 12 Somali wild asses (SWA) sourced from 10 different institutions.
  • The researchers also sought to examine specimens from other wild equids like the onager, kulan, and Hartmann’s mountain zebras.
  • The study was designed to use histologic and virologic analysis of surgically removed masses, biopsies, or samples from necropsies.
  • Another objective was to analyze the long-term health outcomes of the affected animals after therapeutic interventions.

Findings

  • The study confirmed the diagnosis of ES in wild equids through histology, which revealed typical microscopic features of the tumor.
  • The virologic analysis detected the presence of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) in eight SWA samples and bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV2) in one SWA sample. The other wild equids tested positive for either BPV1, BPV2, or both.
  • This study made the first report of an onager being afflicted with ES.

Treatment and Follow-up

  • The primary treatment option used for treating the ES was surgical excision of the tumors, as decided by most veterinarians.
  • A follow-up survey revealed variable health outcomes, with recurrence of ES observed in four cases.
  • Three SWA and one kulan had to be euthanized due to the severity of the lesions caused by the tumors.

Implications

  • The preponderance of this disease chiefly among male SWA, with seven out of nine male SWA having a sarcoid at the prepuce, pointed toward a possible genetic predisposition to ES. This raises concerns about the risks to endangered wild equids with few founders in their lineage.
  • Given these risks, the study called for innovative therapeutic approaches to ES, as well as research directed toward ES prevention in wild equids.

Cite This Article

APA
Wenker C, Hoby S, Steck BL, Ramsauer AS, Blatter S, Tobler K. (2021). Equine Sarcoids in Captive Wild Equids: Diagnostic and Clinical Management of 16 Cases – A Possible Predisposition of the European Cohort of Somali Wild Ass (Equus africanus somaliensis)? J Zoo Wildl Med, 52(1), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1638/2020-0166

Publication

Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
ISSN: 1042-7260
NlmUniqueID: 8915208
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 1
Pages: 28-37

Researcher Affiliations

Wenker, Christian
  • Zoo Basel, 4054 Basel, Switzerland, christian.wenker@zoobasel.ch.
Hoby, Stefan
  • Zoo Basel, 4054 Basel, Switzerland.
Steck, Beatrice L
  • Zoo Basel, 4054 Basel, Switzerland.
Ramsauer, Anna Sophie
  • Institute of Virology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Blatter, Sohvi
  • Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Tobler, Kurt
  • Institute of Virology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Bovine papillomavirus 1 / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Endangered Species
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Liu Y, Xie L, Zhou Y, Zhou L, Bi J, Zheng M, Lan T, Sun W. Human papillomavirus in canine serum: evidence from a Chinese study. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1511289.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1511289pubmed: 40370836google scholar: lookup
  2. Monod A, Koch C, Jindra C, Haspeslagh M, Howald D, Wenker C, Gerber V, Rottenberg S, Hahn K. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Targeting of BPV-1-Transformed Primary Equine Sarcoid Fibroblasts. Viruses 2023 Sep 17;15(9).
    doi: 10.3390/v15091942pubmed: 37766348google scholar: lookup
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