Specific and sensitive detection of camel papilloma virus by polymerase chain reaction using novel oligonucleotide...

Camel papillomatosis (CP) is caused by camel papillomavirus types 1 (CdPV1) and 2 (CdPV2), leading to noticeable lesions on the facial skin and eyes. Although seldom fatal, it can result in blindness and other deformities as lesions may spread to different body systems, similar to papillomaviruses infection in other animals. Cutaneous lesions in affected camel often resemble to those recorded in camel pox and camel contagious ecthyma (CCE), making accurate diagnosis a difficult task. The present study therefore aimed to develop a reliable laboratory test for diagnosis of camel papillomavirus.

A new set of primers targeting amplification of approximately 391 base pairs of the L1 capsid protein gene of camel papillomavirus was designed, and PCR conditions were optimized. The specificity of the PCR assay was evaluated using samples positive for camel pox and CCE, while sensitivity was assessed through plasmid dilution. The assay detected as few as 10⁴ copies and showed no cross-reactivity with camel pox or CCE-positive samples. The phylogenetic analysis of sequenced amplicons showed the presence of three genotypes of camel papillomavirus indicating considerable genetic diversity among camel papillomaviruses circulating in India.

The developed PCR method enables rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of camel papillomavirus and may help in clinical diagnosis and laboratory studies on virus distribution and interactions within the host tissues.