Use of PCR to estimate the prevalence of Equus caballus papillomavirus in aural plaques in horses

• Published in: The veterinary journal (1997) Vol. 197; no. 3; pp. 903 - 904
• Main Authors: Gorino, Ana Claudia, Oliveira-Filho, Jose P., Taniwaki, Sueli A., Basso, Roberta M., Zakia, Luiza S., Araujo, João P., Borges, Alexandre S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2013
• Subjects: Animals; Aural plaques; DNA, Viral - genetics; Ear Diseases - veterinary; Ear Diseases - virology; Horse; Horse Diseases - diagnosis; Horse Diseases - virology; Horses; Papillomaviridae - classification; Papillomaviridae - genetics; Papillomaviridae - isolation & purification; Papillomavirus; Papillomavirus Infections - diagnosis; Papillomavirus Infections - veterinary; Papillomavirus Infections - virology; PCR; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Sensitivity and Specificity; Skin Diseases, Viral - diagnosis; Skin Diseases, Viral - veterinary; Papillomavirus; Aural plaques; PCR; Horse
• ISSN: 1090-0233; 1532-2971
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.014

Aural plaques occur on the skin of the medial surface of the pinnae of horses. In this study the presence of Equus caballus papillomavirus (EcPV)-3 and -4 DNA was assessed in 45 such plaques using a ‘touchdown’ PCR. Papillomaviruses (PVs) were detected in 62.3% (28/45) of samples: EcPV-3 and -4 DNA in 8.89% (4/45) and 37.78% (17/45) of samples, respectively, with 15.56% (7/45) of samples exhibiting co-infection. Viral DNA was not detected in 37.78% (17/45) of samples, suggesting the possible existence of other equine PVs. Neither EcPV-3 nor -4 were detected in negative control skin. This study is the first to evaluate the prevalence of these two viruses in equine aural plaques.