Detection of two different papillomaviruses within a feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: Case report and review of the literature

CASE HISTORY A 15-year-old, brown-and-white cat was presented to a veterinary clinic with an ulcerated, reddened 1-cm diameter lesion on the nasal planum.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Histology of a biopsy sample confirmed the lesion was a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PCR amplified DNA sequences from two different papillomaviruses. One sequence was from FdPV 2, which has previously been amplified from feline cutaneous SCC. However, the other sequence has not previously been reported, suggesting a novel feline papillomavirus.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is evidence that papillomaviruses promote the development of SCC on sun-exposed skin in humans. This is the first report in a cat of a papillomavirus other than FdPV2 and the first time that multiple papillomaviruses have been detected within a single neoplasm in this species. Whether the papillomaviruses influenced the development and behaviour of this SCC is currently uncertain, but this case provides additional evidence of the association between papillomaviruses and feline cutaneous SCC. If papillomaviruses are found to influence the development of SCC this may allow novel strategies to prevent these common neoplasms in cats.     

Frequency of a FAS ligand gene variant associated with inherited feline autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in British shorthair cats in New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS

To determine the frequency of the FAS-ligand gene (FASLG) variant associated with feline autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (FALPS) and the proportion of carriers of the variant in three British shorthair (BSH) breeding catteries in New Zealand.     

Necrotising fasciitis in a bull due to infection with Arcanobacterium haemolyticum

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 2-year-old Hereford bull was lame for one week before becoming recumbent.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The scrotum and ventral perineal region were cold and blackened caudally. The semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles were firm on palpation. The bull was subject to euthanasia, and necropsy revealed that the skin and S/C tissues of the caudal half of the scrotum were grey and necrotic. The caudal and distal aspects of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles were grey and necrotic to a depth of approximately 15 cm, and these changes appeared to track along fascial planes. The tissue had an offensive smell, and large amounts of flocculent, watery, brown fluid and some gas were present. Histology of affected muscle and S/C tissues revealed coagulative necrosis, with oedema and large numbers of bacteria that were predominantly Gram-positive rods. Adjacent blood vessels contained thrombi while the epidermis overlying the affected areas appeared diffusely necrotic, suggesting infarction. Culture of the fluid yielded a pure growth of Arcanobacterium spp., which was identified as Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, using an API Coryne biochemical test strip.

DIAGNOSIS: Necrotising fasciitis and myositis due to Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Arcanobacterium haemolyticum has not previously been reported as a cause of necrotising fasciitis in any species. Necrotising fasciitis is probably an under-reported condition in cattle due to its clinical similarity to clostridial disease.     

The development of multiple cutaneous inverted papilloma following ovariohysterectomy in a dog

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Ovariohysterectomy was performed on an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The skin that had been clipped for surgery was noticed to be erythematous 8 days later.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Poorly defined patches containing multiple papules were visible bilaterally within the clipped skin. These became larger over the following 2 weeks, and samples were collected for histology. Seven days later, the lesions were multiple raised masses, up to 5 cm in diameter. Histology revealed numerous cup-shaped epidermal proliferations extending into the dermis. The presence of keratinocytes with increased quantities of blue-grey cytoplasm, and koilocytosis suggested papillomavirul infection; Canis familiaris papillomavirus (CfPV-2) DNA was amplified from two separate samples. Complete regression was observed 8 weeks after the lesions had been initially observed.

DIAGNOSIS: Multiple inverted papilloma confined to skin that had been clipped for surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first time that the development of canine cutaneous papillomas has been associated with surgery. The nature of the association between surgery and development of the papillomas is uncertain. However, it is possible that damage to superficial skin could promote the formation of papillomas. This is the first identification of CfPV-2 in New Zealand.     

Family Forest Owners’ Perceptions of Landowner Assistance Programs in the USA: A Qualitative Exploration of Program Impacts on Behaviour

Using data collected from a series of focus groups, this study examines how landowner assistance programs (which may include management plans, cost-share, technical assistance and advice, and education components) affect family forest owner behaviour in the USA. Not surprisingly, most owners who participated in assistance programs had pre-existing management objectives. Participation in the management plan and cost-share components was found to facilitate the stewardship of private forests by assisting and reinforcing the behaviour of those landowners who already intend to manage their land in some pre-conceived manner. Advice and educational components appeared to do more in terms of introducing owners to new ideas. The mix of components offered as part of a landowner assistance program should consider the goals of the program and which components will be most effective in achieving those goals.     

Cloning and sequencing of the ovine gamma-interferon gene

Cytokines are major modulators of the immune system of all animals. The cloning and expression of recombinant cytokine genes have permitted the analysis of their immune function and role in the control of the immune response to disease and vaccination. While human, murine, and bovine genes have been cloned and sequenced, the cloning of ovine cytokine genes has not yet been reported. As sheep are of dominant economic importance to the Australian farming industry, it is of significance to clone and express these genes to facilitate the development of new and better vaccines and pharmaceuticals. We have initially selected ovine gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) as a target cytokine gene. By the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using primers based on the bovine gamma-interferon sequence, we have amplified the ovine gamma-interferon gene from crude messenger RNA extracted from lymphocytes. After cloning and DNA sequencing the gene, we found that ovine gamma-IFN is 93% identical to bovine gamma-IFN in amino acid sequence. This result indicates that the PCR method will be a rapid and efficient means for cloning other ovine cytokine genes.