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Veterinary microbiology2007; 129(1-2); 58-68; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.008

High prevalence of bovine papillomaviral DNA in the normal skin of equine sarcoid-affected and healthy horses.

Abstract: Bovine papillomavirus (BPV), the causative agent of papillomas in cattle, has been shown to play a major role in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids in horses. BPV has also been detected occasionally in normal equine skin. In this study, presence and activity of BPV in normal skin and peripheral blood of 4 groups of horses were evaluated: sarcoid-affected horses, horses living in contact with sarcoid-affected horses, horses living in contact with papilloma-affected cattle and control horses. From each horse, 3 samples on 4 locations were collected: a swab of the intact skin surface and both a swab and a biopsy after decontamination. BPV DNA was found in the normal skin of 24 of 42 horses (57%). Mainly sarcoid-affected horses and horses living in contact with cattle were carriers (73%), but BPV DNA was also detected in 50% of the horses living in contact with sarcoid-affected horses and in 30% of the control population. BPV mRNA was detected in 58% of the samples positive for BPV DNA, although in a much lower quantity compared to sarcoids. In most of the BPV DNA positive samples mild acanthosis, slight basophilic cytoplasmic swelling of the epidermal layers and/or thickening of the basal membrane were noticed, but these observations were also present in several BPV DNA negative normal skin samples. BPV DNA could not be detected in peripheral blood. These findings suggest latent infection and a wide-spread occurrence of BPV in the horse population.
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Publication Date: 2007-11-19 PubMed ID: 18093754DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 found a high occurrence of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) DNA in the normal skin of both healthy horses and those affected by equine sarcoids. This presence of BPV suggests a latent infection and broad distribution among the horse population.

Summary of Research

  • The research focused on evaluating the presence and activity of Bovine papillomavirus (BPV), known to cause papillomas in cattle and involved in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids in horses, in normal skin and peripheral blood of horses.
  • The investigation involved four groups of horses: horses with sarcoids, horses living in contact with sarcoid-affected horses, horses living in close proximity to papilloma-affected cattle, and control horses who were not exposed to either sarcoid-affected horses or papilloma-affected cattle.

Methodology and Findings

  • Three samples were taken from each horse at four different locations, including a swab of the intact skin surface and both a swab and a biopsy after skin decontamination.
  • The study revealed BPV DNA in the normal skin of 24 out of 42 horses (57%). Mostly sarcoid-affected horses and horses living in contact with cattle were carriers (73%). Additionally, BPV DNA was detected in half of the horses living in near contact with sarcoid-affected horses, and in 30% of the control population.
  • BPV mRNA was found in 58% of the samples testing positive for BPV DNA, albeit in smaller quantities than in sarcoids. This suggests that the BPV is actively transcribing and may be causing latent infections in this population.

Pathological Observations and Conclusions

  • Most of the BPV DNA positive samples showed mild acanthosis (abnormal skin thickening), slight basophilic cytoplasmic swelling of the epidermal layers, and/or thickening of the basal membrane.
  • However, these observations were also present in several BPV DNA negative normal skin samples, suggesting that these changes may not be exclusively due to BPV.
  • Interestingly, none of the peripheral blood samples tested positive for BPV DNA.
  • The study therefore concluded that the findings suggest widespread latent infection and the ubiquity of BPV in the horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Bogaert L, Martens A, Van Poucke M, Ducatelle R, De Cock H, Dewulf J, De Baere C, Peelman L, Gasthuys F. (2007). High prevalence of bovine papillomaviral DNA in the normal skin of equine sarcoid-affected and healthy horses. Vet Microbiol, 129(1-2), 58-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.008

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 129
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 58-68

Researcher Affiliations

Bogaert, L
  • Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Lies.Bogaert@UGent.be
Martens, A
    Van Poucke, M
      Ducatelle, R
        De Cock, H
          Dewulf, J
            De Baere, C
              Peelman, L
                Gasthuys, F

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Bovine papillomavirus 1 / isolation & purification
                  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / virology
                  • Horses
                  • Male
                  • Papillomavirus Infections / transmission
                  • Papillomavirus Infections / veterinary
                  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
                  • Risk Factors
                  • Skin / virology
                  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary
                  • Skin Neoplasms / virology

                  Citations

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