Imiquimod treatment for Equus caballus papillomavirus infection in equine aural plaques.
BACKGROUND
Aural plaques are a dermatopathy associated with Equus caballus papillomavirus (EcPV). This disease affects horses of all ages, genders and breeds, and causes sensitivity of the ears.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream for the treatment of aural plaques and to compare the PCR detection of EcPV 3, 4, 5 and 6 before and after treatment.


METHODS
Eight horses diagnosed with aural plaques (14 ears) were used. Three mares with unilateral aural plaques were used as untreated controls.


METHODS
Imiquimod cream was applied every 48 h until complete resolution of the aural plaques was observed. Animals were evaluated clinically for 180 days after the end of treatment. PCR for detecting EcPV 3, 4, 5 and 6 was performed using aural plaque biopsies collected before and at 90 days after the end of treatment.


RESULTS
Clinical resolution was observed in 93% of the treated ears. Imiquimod treatment promoted the clearance of EcPV in 71.4% of the treated ears. Clinical remission of the aural plaques and changes in EcPV DNA positivity between the first and second biopsies were not observed in the control group. In 75% of horses, sedation was required in order to carry out pretreatment cleaning.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support the hypothesis that 5% imiquimod cream may be used as an effective treatment for aural plaques in horses.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Luiza S
LS
Zakia
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Giovane
G
Olivo
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Roberta M
RM
Basso
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Juliana
J
Mira
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Mariana
M
Herman
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Joao P
JP
Araujo
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
Alexandre S
AS
Borges
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, 18618970, Brazil.
José P
JP
Oliveira-Filho
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000473:pathology*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D000077271:Imiquimod; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod