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A Century of Shope Papillomavirus in Museum Rabbit Specimens
Clara Escudero Duch1, Richard A J Williams2, Robert M Timm3
1Department of Microbiology III, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Sylvilagus floridanus Papillomavirus (SfPV) causes growth of large horn-like tumors on rabbits. SfPV was described in cottontail rabbits (probably Sylvilagus floridanus) from Kansas and Iowa by Richard Shope in 1933, and detected in S. audubonii in 2011. It is known almost exclusively from the US Midwest. We explored the University of Kansas Natural History Museum for historical museum specimens infected with SfPV, using molecular techniques, to assess if additional wild species host SfPV, and whether SfPV occurs throughout the host range, or just in the Midwest. Secondary aims were to detect distinct strains, and evidence for strain spatio-temporal specificity. We found 20 of 1395 rabbits in the KU collection SfPV symptomatic. Three of 17 lagomorph species (S. nuttallii, and the two known hosts) were symptomatic, while Brachylagus, Lepus and eight additional Sylvilagus species were not. 13 symptomatic individuals were positive by molecular testing, including the first S. nuttallii detection. Prevalence of symptomatic individuals was significantly higher in Sylvilagus (1.8%) than Lepus. Half of these specimens came from Kansas, though new molecular detections were obtained from Jalisco-Mexico's first-and Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, USA. We document the oldest lab-confirmed case (Kansas, 1915), pre-dating Shope's first case. SfPV amplification was possible from 63.2% of symptomatic museum specimens. Using multiple methodologies, rolling circle amplification and, multiple isothermal displacement amplification in addition to PCR, greatly improved detection rates. Short sequences were obtained from six individuals for two genes. L1 gene sequences were identical to all previously detected sequences; E7 gene sequences, were more variable, yielding five distinct SfPV1 strains that differing by less than 2% from strains circulating in the Midwest and Mexico, between 1915 and 2005. Our results do not clarify whether strains are host species specific, though they are consistent with SfPV specificity to genus Sylvilagus.
Insights
Sylvilagus floridanus Papillomavirus (SfPV) causes tumors in rabbits. This study found SfPV in museum specimens, expanding its known host range and geographic distribution beyond the US Midwest, with genetic variations detected in E7 gene sequences.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Wildlife Disease Ecology
- Molecular Phylogenetics
Background:
- Sylvilagus floridanus Papillomavirus (SfPV) is known to cause significant tumor growth in rabbits.
- Historically, SfPV has been primarily identified in the US Midwest, with limited understanding of its full host range and geographic distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate historical museum specimens for SfPV to determine if additional wild lagomorph species harbor the virus.
- To assess the geographic distribution of SfPV beyond the US Midwest.
- To identify distinct SfPV strains and evaluate their spatio-temporal specificity.
Main Methods:
- Molecular techniques, including PCR, rolling circle amplification, and isothermal displacement amplification, were used to detect SfPV in museum specimens.
- Analysis of museum collections from the University of Kansas Natural History Museum.
- Sequencing of L1 and E7 genes to identify viral strains.
Main Results:
- SfPV was detected in 20 of 1395 rabbit specimens, including the first detection in Sylvilagus nuttallii.
- Infections were identified in rabbits from Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Jalisco, Mexico, expanding the known range.
- Five distinct SfPV1 strains were identified based on E7 gene variability, with less than 2% difference from previously detected strains.
Conclusions:
- SfPV infects multiple lagomorph species within the genus Sylvilagus, extending beyond previously known hosts.
- The virus has a broader geographic distribution than previously understood, including Mexico.
- While L1 gene sequences were conserved, E7 gene sequences showed variability, indicating distinct SfPV1 strains circulating over time.
