Epithelial neoplasms of the skin, the cutaneous mucosa and the transitional epithelium in dogs: an immunolocalization study for papillomavirus antigen.

Abstract

In order to study the prevalence of papillomavirus antigen in canine epithelial neoplasms, 535 neoplastic and hyperplastic specimens of the skin, the cutaneous mucosa and the transitional epithelium were immunohistochemically stained with a polyclonal antiserum against papillomavirus antigen. A positive staining result occurred in 44.2% in a total of 95 papillomas and in 27% of 100 diagnosed squamous cell carcinomas, other tumours did not react with the applied antiserum. Papillomavirus antigen was detectable in 54.2% of all oral and ocular papillomas and in 37.0% of all cutaneous papillomas. The majority of the squamous cell carcinomas with detectable papillomavirus antigen were considered positive but not without restrictions. The average age of dogs with viral oral and ocular papillomas was 2.3 years, with viral cutaneous papillomas it was 3.2 years. The average age of dogs with virus-positive squamous cell carcinomas was nearly 11 years. Papillomavirus-like particles were demonstrated by means of transmission electron microscopy in three positive oral papillomas, in the positive squamous cell carcinomas virion detection failed.