Genetic evaluation of bovine papillomavirus types detected in equine sarcoids in Poland.

The research examines the types of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) found in equine sarcoids (common tumors) in horses in Poland, mainly focusing on BPV type 1, which is the most frequently observed type in European horses. Through DNA analysis, they discovered certain strains of BPV were more prevalent than others.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

• The researchers aimed to study the genetic types of BPV found in equine sarcoids based on DNA analyses of the Coding DNA Sequences (CDS) of the L1 gene of the virus. The L1 gene is a crucial gene involved in the production of the viral capsule.
• Confirmation of BPV DNA presence among equine sarcoids was done through a Degenerate Oligonucleotide-Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (DOP PCR) technique, using FAP59/FAP64 consensus primers, which are sequences of DNA used to start the PCR process.

Results of the Research

• After testing, BPV DNA was detected in 21 out of 40 clinically diagnosed horse sarcoids, which is over half of the cases (52.5%).
• Among the detected BPV, more than two-thirds of the 14 isolates (66.7%) showed 100% homology with a specific BPV variant called BPV-1 Deltapapillomavirus 4 isolate 09 asi UK (Acc. No. MF384289). This means the DNA sequences were identical.
• These same samples also showed 99% identical nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA) with another variant called BPV-1 isolate EqSarc1 (Acc. No. JX678969), except for one silent mutation C5827T, which does not change the protein produced. This type of mutation, known as ‘silent’, does not affect the phenotype of the organism.
• A quarter of the remaining samples (28.6%) were 100% identical to a wild type isolate, BPV-1 (Acc. No. X02346). The ‘wild type’ refers to the strain of the virus most commonly found in nature.
• Only one sample (4.8%) showed 99% identical nucleotides with BPV-2 (Acc. No. M20219), another identified strain of BPV.

Conclusions of the Study

• The study concluded that the variants of BPV-1 isolate EqSarc1 (Acc. No. JX678969) constitute the most prevalent type of BPV-1 in horses in Poland.
• This research is significant as it contributes to the understanding of BPV presence and genetic variation in equine sarcoids, enabling better diagnosis and potential treatment approaches.