Abstract
The mountain chain of the Alps, represents the habitat of alpine fauna where the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population is the outmost numerous, followed by the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and the alpine ibex (Capra ibex) at higher altitudes. Previous reports showed the circulation of epitheliotropic viruses, belonging to the families Papillomaviridae and Poxviridae, causing skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants of the Stelvio National Park, situated in the area. To deepen our knowledge on the natural dynamics of the infections, a passive surveillance on all the cases of proliferative skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants was performed. Twenty-seven samples (11 chamois, 10 red deer and 6 ibex) collected from 2008 to 2018 were analyzed by negative staining electron microscopy, histology, and PCR followed by genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results confirmed the spread of Parapoxvirus of Red Deer in New Zealand (PVNZ) in Italy, and its ability to cause severe lesions i.e., erosions and ulcers in the mouth. We showed for the first time a PVNZ/CePV1v (C. elaphus papillomavirus 1 variant) co-infection identified in one red deer. This result supports previous evidence on the ability of papillomavirus and parapoxvirus to mutually infect the same host tissue. Interestingly two ibex and one chamois showing orf virus (OV) skin lesions were shown to be co-infected with bovine papillomavirus type 1 and 2. The presence of bovine papillomavirus, in orf virus induced lesions of chamois and ibex raises the question of its pathogenetic role in these animal species. For the first time, OV/CePV1v co-infection was demonstrated in another chamois. CePV1v is sporadically reported in red deer throughout Europe and is considered species specific, its identification in a chamois suggests its ability of cross-infecting different animal species. Poxviruses and papillomavirus have been simultaneously detected also in the skin lesions of cattle, bird and human suggesting a possible advantageous interaction between these viruses. Taken together, our findings add further information on the epidemiology and pathogenetic role of epitheliotropic viruses in wild ruminants living in the central Alps and in Stelvio National Park.
Highlights
Epitheliotropic viruses belonging to the Poxviridae and Papillomaviridae families include a number of viral species which are known to infect wild ruminants in many parts of the world
The study was performed in northern Italy, Lombardia region in the Valtellina valley, Brembana and Seriana valley and in Camonica valley where wild ruminants such as chamois (R. rupicapra), red deer (C. elaphus) and ibex (C. ibex) are present. samples were taken from carcasses of necropsied animals, during the diagnostic activities of the IZSLER
Our analyses showed typical parapoxvirus-like particles observed by Electron microscopy (EM) in three red deers found dead showing proliferative lesions covered by crusts, ulcers and erosions on the muco-cutaneous junction of nose and lips
Summary
Epitheliotropic viruses belonging to the Poxviridae and Papillomaviridae families include a number of viral species which are known to infect wild ruminants in many parts of the world. According to ICTV in the Poxviridae family, Chordopoxvirinae subfamily, the genera Deerpoxvirus and Parapoxvirus include several species able to cause diseases in wild ruminants [1]. The viruses belonging to the genus Deerpoxvirus (DPV) are responsible for non-parapoxviruslike infections in the members of two subfamilies of cervids, American deer (Odocoileinae) and reindeer (Rangiferinae). These viruses, resembling orthopoxviruses in shape, have been reported in North America in wild mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Wyoming [2], black-tailed deer A sero-survey, performed in Oregon, indicated that the exposure to DPV is common in Odocoileus populations leading to speculate that the high antibody prevalence and the low rate of observed DPV-related disease may suggest a low virulence of these pathogens [9]
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