Detection of papillomavirus-DNA in mesenchymal tumour cells and not in the hyperplastic epithelium of feline sarcoids.
We examined 12 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded feline skin tumours which had the histopathological features of fibropapillomas for the presence of papillomavirus (PV) DNA using touchdown polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing and nonradioactive in situ hybridization. Nine of the tumours contained a 102-bp PCR product demonstrated using consensus PV primers that amplify a portion of the L1 gene. The nucleotide sequences are closely related, but not identical to that of ovine PV type 2, rabbit oral PV and reindeer PV. The deduced amino acid sequences had strong homologies with the major capsid protein L1 of deer PV, bovine papillomavirus (BPV) 1 and BPV 2, and European elk PV. Although PV antigens were not detected in any of the tumours by immunohistochemistry, PV DNA was demonstrated in individual mesenchymal cells or cell nests of 4/12 tumours by in situ hybridization. A nonproductive infection of mesenchymal fibroblast-like tumour cells with a papillomavirus would explain the lack of PV antigen expression and the absence of PV DNA in the hyperplastic epithelium. Because these tumours and their pathogenesis are similar to equine sarcoids, we suggest that they should be reclassified as 'feline sarcoids' instead of fibropapillomas.
Teifke
Jens P
JP
Bundesforschungsanstalt für Viruskrankheiten der Tiere, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Boddenblick 5a, D-17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
Kidney
Beverly A
BA
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Löhr
Christiane V
CV
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, USA.
Yager
Julie A
JA
Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D002415:Cats; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral