Peripheral blood mononuclear cells represent a reservoir of bovine papillomavirus DNA in sarcoid-affected equines.
Bovine papillomaviruses of types 1 and 2 (BPV-1 and -2) chiefly contribute to equine sarcoid pathogenesis. However, the mode of virus transmission and the presence of latent infections are largely unknown. This study established a PCR protocol allowing detection of <or=10 copies of the BPV-1/-2 genes E5 and L1. Subsequent screening of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA derived from horses with and without BPV-1/2-induced skin lesions demonstrated the exclusive presence of E5, but not L1, in PBMCs of BPV-1/2-infected equines. To validate this result, a blind PCR was performed from enciphered PBMC DNA derived from 66 horses, revealing E5 in the PBMCs of three individuals with confirmed sarcoids, whereas the remaining 63 sarcoid-free animals were negative for this gene. L1 could not be detected in any PBMC DNA, suggesting either deletion or interruption of this gene in PBMCs of BPV-1/-2-infected equines. These results support the hypothesis that PBMCs may serve as host cells for BPV-1/-2 DNA and contribute to virus latency.
Brandt
Sabine
S
Equine Centre, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Haralambus
Rhea
R
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.|Equine Centre, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Schoster
Angelika
A
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, ON, Canada.
Kirnbauer
Reinhard
R
Department of Dermatology, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Stanek
Christian
C
Equine Centre, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
D000818:Animals; D052688:Bovine papillomavirus 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology*; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
D036022:Capsid Proteins; C085217:L1 protein, Bovine papillomavirus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; C054304:oncogene protein E5, Bovine papillomavirus type 1