Characterization of BPV-like DNA in equine sarcoids

Abstract

The DNA from equine sarcoid samples from New York State and Switzerland was isolated and probed with bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) to determine if BPV genomes were present. Twelve of 13 sarcoids from New York State and 17/20 sarcoids from Switzerland contained DNA that hybridized to the BPV-1 probe. Restriction enzyme analysis of the positive samples demonstrated restriction fragment profiles characteristic of BPV-1 in 22 sarcoids and restriction fragment profiles characteristic of bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) in 7 sarcoids. In addition, three tissues histologically diagnosed as pyogranulomatous dermatitis, fibropapilloma, and fibrosarcoma contained BPV-like DNA. Tissues with BPV-1-like and BPV-2-like DNA contained an average of 285.7 (21 to 808) and 125.8 (2 to 762) BPV-like genomes per cell, respectively. Minor differences in the restriction fragment profiles of the BPV-like DNA and evidence for partial BPV-like genomes were found in some sarcoids. BPV-like DNA was not detected in lymphocyte DNA from sarcoid-affected horses. These results confirm previous observations and support the hypothesis that bovine papillomavirus, or a very similar virus, is linked to the cause of equine sarcoid.

Association of bovine papillomavirus with the equine sarcoid

“…BPV DNA has not been detected in samples obtained from horses without sarcoids or in non-sarcoid equine tumours or equine papillomas (Otten et al, 1993;Nasir et al, 1997;Carr et al, 2001a, b). However, it has been found in some cases of dermatitis and the significance of this is as yet unknown (Angelos et al, 1991;unpublished observations). Despite the consistent finding of papillomavirus DNA in the sarcoid lesions, papillomavirus particles have not been demonstrated and the disease is, therefore, considered to be a non-productive infection in which viral DNA exists episomally (Amtmann et al, 1980;Lancaster, 1981).…”

“…Since the initial suggestion of such a relationship between BPV and equine sarcoids by Olson & Cook (1951), groups in the USA, Australia, continental Europe and the UK have reported the presence of the closely related viruses BPV types 1 and 2 in equine sarcoids. Early studies detected BPV DNA in sarcoids from horses and donkeys using DNA hybridization techniques (Lancaster et al, 1979;Amtmann et al, 1980;Trenfield et al, 1985;Angelos et al, 1991;Lory et al, 1993;Reid et al, 1994). In more recent years, PCRbased detection methods offering greater sensitivity have been used to demonstrate the presence of BPV DNA in sarcoids.…”

Localization of Bovine papillomavirus in equine sarcoids and inflammatory skin conditions of horses using laser microdissection and two forms of DNA amplification

“…However, some studies have found BPV DNA in the skin of a small number of horses with nonsarcoid-related inflammatory skin conditions, but the significance of such a finding is unknown. 2,12,29 The frequency with which BPV can be detected in nonsarcoid skin conditions has not been determined in a larger sample of equine tissues. In addition, it is unclear where BPV is located histologically in these biopsies from unaffected horses.…”

Localization of Bovine Papillomavirus Nucleic Acid in Equine Sarcoids

“…26,29,34 In subsequent work, Southern blots were used to identify BPV1 or BPV2 genome(s) within tumor tissue, 1,2,19,38 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based surveys routinely demonstrate that up to 100% of sarcoids contain BPV DNA. [12][13][14]23,24,27,38,39 A limited number of studies have been designed to investigate the role of BPV in cellular transformation in equine tissue.…”