Enzootic Nasal Tumour of Goats in Greece

Abstract

ENZOOTIC NASAL TUMOUR OF GOATS IN GREECE P. Loukopoulos, N.D. Giadinis, V. Psychas, C.I. Dovas and E. Kaldrymidou Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, Greece Introduction: The enzootic nasal tumour (ENT) of goats arises from secretory epithelial cells of the ethmoid turbinate and follows infection by ENTV-2, an exogenous retrovirus. The geographical distribution of the disease is believed to be wide, but this has not been studied comprehensively. Materials and Methods: Intranasal tumours of goats that were included in the study were retrieved from the archives or were recruited as part of an ongoing prospective study. The tumours were examined grossly and microscopically and a selected number of tumour samples was analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Results: Fifty-four intranasal tumours were examined, the first of which was initially examined in 1984. Although no metastases were observed, a small number of cases were locally aggressive. Histologically, most cases were low-grade adenocarcinomas. The cases originated from four geographical regions in Greece (Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly and central Greece). PCR detected ENTV-2 proviral DNA within the tumours examined. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated clustering of these isolates with the ENTV-2 prototypes in a branch distinct from ENTV-1, JSRV and SERV representatives. Conclusions: ENT of goats is present and appears to have widespread geographical distribution in Greece. Further examination and monitoring of the disease status is warranted. P1