Papilloma-induced dermatofibroma in cattle following tuberculin testing (abstract)

Authors: Johnstone AC, Hughes PL, Haines DM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 41, Issue 1, pp 44, Mar 1993
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Biosecurity, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Diagnostic procedures, Disease control/eradication, Epidemiology, Mycobacterial, Disease/defect, Viral, Infectious disease, Zoonosis, Public health
Article class: Abstract

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Abstract: Papillomavirus was identified by avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemical testing of fibromatous nodules that developed in the caudal fold skin of the tail of two beef heifers. These tumours were representative of lesions identified in cattle tested, all of which had been tuberculin tested 3 months earlier. Bovine warts are endemic on the property and it is hypothesised that the papillomavirus was introduced intradermally by virus-contaminated vaccinal equipment.
The well-circumscribed, hard nodular swellings were atypical of the diffuse caudal fold swellings usually present in reactions to tuberculin. Providing that tuberculin testing officers are aware of the risk of fibroma induction by transmission of papillomavirus and care is taken to avoid contact with warts and vaccinal equipment, this source of inaccuracy may be avoided. Where such aberrant reactions are encountered, alternative strategies such as caudal-fold retesting or comparative cervical skin testing can be adopted.

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