Ancient papillomavirus-host co-speciation in Felidae

The evolutionary rate of feline papillomaviruses is inferred from the phylogenetic analysis of their hosts, providing evidence for long-term virus-host co-speciatio

Theiler's disease in a horse

This case report involves an aged, grade gelding used as a children's hunter. The horse was presented to the clinic in a critical state and died in a coma the same day. The history and examination of the horse lead to a diagnosis of Theiler's disease, which was based upon previous inoculation with homolgous serum, intense icterus, cerebral depression and excitement. Laboratory findings and necropsy confirmed the diagnosis with an SGOT of fifteen times normal, an icterus index of 200; and diffuse and massive liver necrosis. Supportive treatment was undertaken, and a proposed schedule of possible therapeutic measures was discussed in dealing with the physiological changes brought about by the acute liver destruction. A review of the literature begins with observations of Sir Arnold Theiler who first described the syndrome in 1914 while working with African Horsesickness at Onderstepoort, Union of South Africa. Theiler's disease first made its appearance in the United States during the 1930's at which time it followed epizootics of viral encephalitis in horses. These outbreaks are discussed as well as those appearing in other parts of the world. The etiological agent discussed, although speculatively, is a virus, based on the epidemiological nature of Theiler's disease in the past, and the resemblence of this syndrome in horses to viral, infectious and serum hepatitis in man. Finally, control of Theiler's disease in possible future outbreaks is discussed

Papillomavirus-Associated Focal Oral Hyperplasia in Wild and Captive Asian Lions (Panthera leo persica)

Four Asian lions (Panthera leo persica), two wild and two captive, were diagnosed with focal oral hyperplasia affecting the ventral surface of their tongues. Focal, flat, sessile lesions consisted of hyperplastic, stratified squamous epithelium. Koilocytotic atypia was evident in the upper layers of cells, some of which contained characteristic intranuclear papillomavirus particles visible by electron microscopy. In addition, large amphophilic cytoplasmic inclusions were evident in the koilocytes and were considered to be a product of the viral E4 gene. Papillomavirus group-specific antigens were detected by immunohistochemistry in the atypical cell nuclei. Conserved papillomavirus antigenic epitopes differed from epitopes found in cutaneous papillomavirus-induced lesions from domestic cats. An 8,000-base pair DNA fragment, linearized by Bam HI digestion, was detected by Southern blot hybridization probed with a mixed human papillomavirus genomic probe. Limited restriction endonuclease studies of DNA prepared using an oral hyperplastic lesion from an Asian lion indicate that this is a novel feline papillomavirus different from the domestic cat cutaneous papillomavirus. This new virus has been designated P1PV