title: Viral papillomatosis in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris).
abstract: The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is one of the most endangered marine mammals in American coastal waters. Naturally resistant to infectious disease, the manatee immune system appears highly developed to protect it against the harsh marine environment and the effects of human-related injury. In 1997, seven captive Florida manatees developed multiple, cutaneous, pedunculated papillomas over a period of 6 months. Approximately 3 years later, four of the seven manatees developed multiple, cutaneous, sessile papillomas topically and clinically distinct from the initial lesions, some of which are still present. Histologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical features indicated that the two distinct phenotypic lesions were caused by papillomaviruses (PVs). Preliminary immunologic data correlated with daily clinical observations suggested that the manatees were immunologically suppressed and that the papillomas were caused by activation of latent PV infections and reinoculation from active infections. The emergence of PV-induced papillomas in captive manatees, the possibility of activation of latent infection or transmission of active infection to free-ranging manatees, and the underlying cause of immune suppression predisposing manatees to develop viral papillomatosis are serious concerns for the future management of this highly endangered species.
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, Florida 34946, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Bossart
authors.forename: Ruth Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Ewing
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sweat
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Shin-je
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ghim
authors.forename: A Bennett
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Jenson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010212:Papilloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D020457:Trichechus manatus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral