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Latent papillomavirus infection in cattle
M S Campo1, W F Jarrett, W O'Neil
1Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, CRC Beatson Laboratories, University of Glasgow.
Research in Veterinary Science
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Latent bovine papillomavirus (BPV) infection was identified in cattle. Immunosuppression or skin trauma reactivated latent BPV, causing skin warts and indicating lymphocytes may harbor the virus.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bovine papillomavirus type 4 (BPV-4) is implicated in upper alimentary tract carcinomas in cattle.
- Environmental factors like mutagens and immunosuppressants may contribute to cancer development.
- The role of latent viral infections in disease pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of latent bovine papillomavirus (BPV) infection in cattle.
- To determine if immunosuppression or physical trauma can reactivate latent BPV infections.
- To identify potential sites of BPV latency within the host.
Main Methods:
- Long-term cattle experiment involving BPV-4, environmental mutagens, and immunosuppressants.
- Immunosuppression induced by bracken fern feeding or azathioprine treatment.
- Monitoring for papillomatosis and detection of BPV DNA in skin lesions and lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Papillomatosis-free cattle developed skin warts containing BPV-1 or BPV-2 when immunosuppressed.
- Skin warts also appeared in an immunocompetent animal with damaged skin.
- BPV DNA was detected in lymphocytes of both experimental and control animals.
Conclusions:
- Cattle harbor latent BPV infections that can be reactivated by immunosuppression and/or physical trauma.
- Reactivation leads to the development of skin warts.
- Circulating lymphocytes are a potential site for BPV latency.