Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equus caballus papillomavirus 8 (EcPV8) associated with multiple viral plaques, viral papillomas, and squamous cell carcinoma in a horse.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Peters-Kennedy, J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 16-year-old mixed breed horse developed many raised, crusty lumps over four years, which were surgically removed multiple times. Despite treatments, including the use of cisplatin beads, new lumps kept appearing in the same areas and new spots. Tests showed that these lumps were caused by a recently discovered virus called Equus caballus papillomavirus 8 (EcPV8), and some of them turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. This case is significant because it is the first time squamous cell carcinoma has been linked to this virus in horses. Overall, the treatments did not stop the growth of new masses.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Equus caballus papillomavirus 8, a recently discovered virus, has been reported to cause generalised papillomavirus in horses. OBJECTIVES: To describe a case in which multiple viral plaques, viral papillomas, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (ISCC) were associated with EcPV8 in a horse. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 16-year-old mixed breed horse presented with dozens of raised crusted papular to nodular lesions over a course of 4 years. Masses had been surgically excised four times and cisplatin beads and emulsion were implanted on three different occasions; however new masses continue to develop in sites of previous masses as well as new sites. RESULTS: Multiple viral plaques, viral papillomas, SCC in situ and ISCC, localised to the inguinal region, were diagnosed via histopathology. EcPV8 DNA was detected via PCR. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Since only a few cases have been reported, we do not know the incidence of EcPV8 nor how often it may be associated with SCC in situ or ISCC without further study. CONCLUSIONS: This is the fourth reported case of viral papillomatosis in the context of an EcPV8 infection in a horse. This is the first case in which SCC has been associated with EcPV8.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30456819/