Papillomaviral DNA sequences are not amplifiable from canine subungual squamous cell carcinomas

Authors: French AF, Waropastrakul S, Gibson I, Munday JS
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 61, Issue 4, pp 234-236, Jul 2013
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

---

Abstract:

AIM: To determine if papillomaviral DNA is more frequently present within canine subungual squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) than in non-SCC digit lesions.

METHODS: Total DNA was extracted from 23 canine subungual SCCs and 23 non-SCC digit lesions. The presence of amplifiable DNA within each sample was confirmed by amplifying a section of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) gene. Two different consensus PCR primer sets were used to amplify papillomaviral DNA from the samples.

RESULTS: The consensus primers only amplified papillomaviral DNA from the positive control samples. None of the 46 canine digit samples contained DNA that was amplifiable by the consensus PCR primers.

CONCLUSION: Papillomaviruses are unlikely to be a significant cause of canine subungual SCCs.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While circumstantial evidence suggests that canine subungual SCCs could develop due to papillomaviral infection, this study did not reveal any evidence to support papillomaviral aetiology of these neoplasms.

KEY WORDS: Dog, papillomavirus, subungual squamous cell carcinomas, nail bed, carcinogenesis, digit, viral oncogenesis, GADPH

---