Epitheliotropic Infections in Wildlife Ruminants From the Central Alps and Stelvio National Park

Abstract

The mountain chain of the Alps, represents the habitat of alpine fauna where the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population is the outmost numerous, followed by the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and the alpine ibex (Capra ibex) at higher altitudes. Previous reports showed the circulation of epitheliotropic viruses, belonging to the families Papillomaviridae and Poxviridae, causing skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants of the Stelvio National Park, situated in the area. To deepen our knowledge on the natural dynamics of the infections, a passive surveillance on all the cases of proliferative skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants was performed. Twenty-seven samples (11 chamois, 10 red deer and 6 ibex) collected from 2008 to 2018 were analyzed by negative staining electron microscopy, histology, and PCR followed by genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results confirmed the spread of Parapoxvirus of Red Deer in New Zealand (PVNZ) in Italy, and its ability to cause severe lesions i.e., erosions and ulcers in the mouth. We showed for the first time a PVNZ/CePV1v (C. elaphus papillomavirus 1 variant) co-infection identified in one red deer. This result supports previous evidence on the ability of papillomavirus and parapoxvirus to mutually infect the same host tissue. Interestingly two ibex and one chamois showing orf virus (OV) skin lesions were shown to be co-infected with bovine papillomavirus type 1 and 2. The presence of bovine papillomavirus, in orf virus induced lesions of chamois and ibex raises the question of its pathogenetic role in these animal species. For the first time, OV/CePV1v co-infection was demonstrated in another chamois. CePV1v is sporadically reported in red deer throughout Europe and is considered species specific, its identification in a chamois suggests its ability of cross-infecting different animal species. Poxviruses and papillomavirus have been simultaneously detected also in the skin lesions of cattle, bird and human suggesting a possible advantageous interaction between these viruses. Taken together, our findings add further information on the epidemiology and pathogenetic role of epitheliotropic viruses in wild ruminants living in the central Alps and in Stelvio National Park.

A Comprehensive Study of Cutaneous Fibropapillomatosis in Free-Ranging Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus): from Clinical Manifestations to Whole-Genome Sequencing of Papillomaviruses

“…The PV DNA was detected in the tissue samples of fibropapillomas in all seven cases using PCR. The neoplastic lesion size and numbers, as well as the gross pathology and histopathology of the neoplastic lesions observed in this study, were consistent with previous studies of roe deer and red deer cutaneous fibropapillomatosis [14][15][16][17]22,34]. Thus, it can be assumed that the firm, round, usually hairless and pigmented, eroded or ulcerated lesions located in almost all body parts are characteristic for cutaneous fibropapillomatosis associated with the CcaPV1 infections in roe deer.…”

“…In this study, very low variability between the CcaPV1-type genomes (99.95% identity at the complete genome level compared to the sequences deposited in GenBank) and the CePV1v-type variant genomes (99.96-99.99% identity at the complete genome level compared to the sequences deposited in GenBank) was observed, with five out of six CcaPV1 genomes being 100% identical. Similar results were observed by Gallina et al [22], who reported two complete CePV1v genomes that were 100% identical. This observation is in agreement with the generally accepted evolutionary mechanism of PVs, which present a very slow mutation rate.…”

“…The first characterisation of the entire genome of PV (CePV-1v) belonging to the Deltapapillomavirus genus in red deer was described by Scagliarini et al [14]. Recently, two complete CePV-1v genomes, which were 100% identical, were described in red deer from Italy by Gallina et al [22]. Here, we describe fibropapillomatosis cases in roe deer (n = 6) and red deer (n = 1), including the complete genome sequencing of PVs from all of the investigated cases that have been sent to our institute for diagnostic investigation since 2014.…”

“…Based on genomic analysis, CePV-1v was classified as a type variant of CcaPV-1. Recently, two additional complete CePV-1v genomes from red deer with fibropapillomatosis in Italy were sequenced and published [22], showing almost 100% nucleotide identity with the previously published CePV1v. A case of a red deer infected with CePV-2, which belongs to the genus Epsilonpapillomavirus, and associated with pigmented papillomas was reported in New Zealand [6].…”

Bovine Papillomatosis Hiding a Zoonotic Infection: Epitheliotropic Viruses in Bovine Skin Lesions

“…Despite the benign characteristics of the lesions, in some cases, bovine papillomatosis can dramatically reduce production performance when lesions are spread throughout the body, involving teats and udders. We have previously shown that the so-called “papillomatosis” can be the result of multiple infections with epitheliotropic viruses, including zoonotic poxviruses [ 1 , 2 ].…”