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Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate (DMBA-TPA)
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Multiple papillomas in a diamond python, Morelia spilota spilota

Jessica M Gull1, Christian E Lange, Claude Favrot

  • 1Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland. jgull@vetclinics.uzh.ch

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
|January 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A diamond python experienced benign papilloma-like skin growths and pneumonia. The papillomavirus DNA was detected, but the lesions regressed naturally without treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Herpetology
  • Veterinary Dermatology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Diamond pythons (Morelia spilota spilota) can develop skin neoplasms.
  • Papillomaviruses are known oncogenic agents in various species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of skin proliferations in a diamond python.
  • To determine the nature of the observed neoplasia and identify potential causative agents.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical examination and biopsy of skin lesions.
  • Histopathological analysis of tissue samples.
  • Broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for papillomavirus DNA detection.
  • Nested pan-herpes PCR and examination for herpesvirus inclusion bodies.

Main Results:

  • Histopathology revealed benign papilloma-like neoplasia.
  • Papillomavirus DNA was successfully amplified from a biopsy sample.
  • No evidence of herpesvirus infection was found.
  • Skin lesions regressed significantly within 10 months and were nearly resolved by 34 months.

Conclusions:

  • The skin lesions in this diamond python were consistent with a benign papillomavirus infection.
  • The papillomas demonstrated spontaneous regression.
  • This case highlights the potential for papillomavirus-induced neoplasia in reptiles and its variable clinical course.

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