Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Like and Pox Lesions Occurring Simultaneously in Chorioallantoic Membranes of Chicken Embryos Inoculated with Materials from Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Pox Lesions in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The finding of closely associated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-like lesions and pox lesions in chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) inoculated with skin and palate samples taken from broilers is described. The samples were obtained from two broilers coming from different flocks that were not vaccinated against fowl pox. Both birds presented skin lesions, which were diagnosed in one bird as fowl pox, and in the other as SCC. After inoculation of CAMs with fresh tissues from both birds, histologic examination revealed, in all CAMs, lesions that were characteristic of fowl pox together with lesions consistent with those seen in the skin of broilers affected with SCC. This finding was unexpected and may shed some light on the etiology of SCC.

Squamous cell carcinoma with presence of poxvirus-like inclusions in the foot of a pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)

“…To our knowledge, this is the first report of squamous cell carcinoma in a pelican. In contrast to other studies in poultry where the lesions were located in the feathered parts of the body and were characterized by crater-like ulcers (Turnquest, 1979;Riddel & Shettigara, 1980;Fallavena et al, 1993Fallavena et al, , 2002Hafner et al, 1993;Weinstock et al, 1995), the lesion in this pelican was found on the ventral surface of the foot and was characterized by a cauliflower-like mass. The aetiology of the squamous cell carcinoma in mammals is associated with physical, chemical and biological agents, but causes in birds have not been well defined.…”

“…The evidence of association of squamous cell carcinoma and poxvirus has only been described in poultry, suggesting that latent or chronic forms of fowlpox infection may be implicated in development of this particular neoplasm (Fallavena et al, 1993(Fallavena et al, , 1997Back et al, 1995;Hafner & Goodwin, 1997). To our knowledge, this is the first report of squamous cell carcinoma in a pelican.…”

“…Tumour-like lesions have been reported in different domestic and wild bird varieties (Mohanty & Dutta, 1981;Gerlach, 1984;Harrison & Harrison, 1986;Arai et al, 1991;Ritchie & Carter, 1995;Tsai et al, 1997;Bolte et al, 1999;Hernandez et al, 2001;Mete et al, 2001). Avipoxvirus has also been associated with a dermal squamous cell carcinoma (DSCC), or avian keratoacanthoma*terms used for neoplastic skin lesions usually found in broiler chicken carcasses (Fallavena et al, 1993;Back et al, 1995;Fallavena et al, 1997;Hafner & Goodwin, 1997). The aetiology of naturally occurring cases of DSCC is unknown.…”

Avian Papilloma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: a Histopathological, Immunohistochemical and Virological study

“…The aetiology of SCCs in birds has not been determined, however in chickens, virus infection e.g. fowlpox virus (Fallavena et al, 2002;Fallavena et al, 1997), chemical irritants (Rigdon and Brashear, 1954), breed, reused litter, and season have all been suggested (Nakamura et al, 2010). No consistent association with a viral agent has been shown to date.…”

Avipoxvirus detected in tumor-like lesions in a white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

“…These molecules can disturb the cell cycle and induce mitoses (Schafer 1998, Bolte et al 1999 and tumor-like lesions, which have been reported in domestic and wild birds (Arai et al 1991, Ritchie & Carter 1995, Tsai et al 1997, Bolte et al 1999, Mete et al 2001, Fallavena et al 2002, Pesaro et al 2009. Although Avipoxvirus has also been associated with a dermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), (Fallavena et al 1993, Back et al 1995, Fallavena et al, 1997, Hafner & Goodwin 1997, the etiology of naturally occurring cases of dermal SCC is still unknown.…”