Identification of Papillomaviruses in Butchers' Warts

Abstract

We have studied the papillomaviruses found in the hand warts of 60 butchers, most of them from 2 distant slaughterhouses. Warts differing in morphology and location were studied separately. The viruses were identified by molecular hybridization, restriction enzyme analysis and immunofluorescence. Four known human papillomaviruses (HPV-1, HPV-2, HPV-3, HPV-4) were detected and one hitherto unknown papillomavirus was identified in 9 butchers. The DNA of the latter virus did not anneal with any of the RNAs complementary to either HPV-1 to HPV-5 or bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) DNAs, and showed a Hind II + III restriction enzyme cleavage pattern distinct from those of known HPVs and BPVs. This virus showed distinct antigenic properties, as shown by immunofluorescence, using HPV-1, -2, -3, -5, and BPV-1 antisera. It may represent a new type of human papillomavirus (HPV-7) or a yet unidentified animal papillomavirus. In addition, 6 butchers were found to be infected with a papillomavirus, distinct from the known skin HPVs and from BPV-1, which could not be characterized by restriction enzyme analysis. Eleven butchers were found to be infected by 2 viruses. A characteristic histological pattern was found to be associated with the different papillomaviruses.

A papillomavirus DNA from a cervical carcinoma and its prevalence in cancer biopsy samples from different geographic regions.

“…Interestingly, these two tumors also harbored either HPV 6 (18,19), and a nonintegrated episomal state (9) characterize the isolates obtained thus far. (20,21) renders identity with the cervical papillomavirus DNA rather unlikely. The The DNA showed some heterogeneity in cancer tissue, suggesting either the existence of various subtypes or genomic rearrangements during cancer development.…”

Lung cancer among butchers and slaughterhouse workers.

“…The prevalence of virus warts among slaughterhouse workers, including poultry slaughterhouse workers (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45), has been assessed in several studies and shows the following patterns: (i) the prevalence of virus warts among slaughterhouse workers is generally high, 24-47%; (ii) in studies which allow comparison with unexposed groups, there is a prevalence ratio of about 3; (iii) the high prevalence of virus warts is found in all departments of slaughterhouses, but one study (45) found a higher prevalence (47%) among "meat handlers" than among "non meat handlers," (31%).…”

“…The warts may derive from infection with various types of human papilloma virus (40). The slaughtered animals may act as vectors for the infection from one worker to another.…”

Verruca Vulgaris of the Tongue

“…Verruca vulgaris (VV), common wart or viral wart, is a virus-induced neoplasm of the skin caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV). As currently known, verruca vulgaris is associated with HPV types 2 and 4, flat warts with HPV-3 and 10, and Butchers' warts with HPV-7 [3][4][5]. Oral verruca vulgaris (OVV) lesions appear similar to their cutaneous counterparts.…”

“…The tumor occurs at any age, with a preference in children and involves the vermilion and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Presence of HPV in the oral cavity has been demonstrated by means of electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology methods [5][6][7][8][9].…”