Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the surgical margins of equine sarcoids for bovine papilloma virus DNA.
OBJECTIVE
To examine apparently normal skin around equine sarcoids for evidence of bovine papilloma virus (BPV) DNA, and to relate this finding to the observed recurrence after surgery.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Forty-one equine sarcoids from 19 horses.


METHODS
The tumors were surgically excised at a measured distance of 8, 12, or 16 mm. Samples from the tumor and of the entire surrounding skin were taken at 4, 8, 12, and 16 mm from the tumor border and analyzed for the presence of BPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The samples were grouped per examined sarcoid, and a tumor was considered positive at a certain distance as soon as at least one of the samples at that distance was positive. The clinical outcome was recorded for each sarcoid after a minimal follow-up of 6 months.


RESULTS
All sarcoids were positive for BPV(1) or BPV(2). The tumor margin was positive at 4, 8, 12, and 16 mm in, respectively, 95%, 73%, 39%, and 33% of the examined sarcoids. Local recurrence was observed in 3 sarcoids on 3 different horses. From survival analysis, there was a greater likelihood for local recurrence when sarcoids had a surgical margin that was positive for BPV DNA.


CONCLUSIONS
BPV DNA is often detected in visibly normal skin around sarcoids, and there is a significantly greater probability for local recurrence when the surgical margins are positive for the presence of BPV DNA.
Martens
A
A
Department of Large Animal Surgery and Anesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.
De Moor
A
A
Demeulemeester
J
J
Peelman
L
L
D000818:Animals; D052688:Bovine papillomavirus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral