Bovine papillomatosis: epidemiology and diversity of bovine papillomavirus (BPV)

Abstract

Bovine papillomatosis is a cattle disease characterized by the presence of papillomas and fibropapillomas. It is caused by the infection of bovine papillomavirus (BPV), naked viruses of the family Papillomaviridae. They are epithelitropic viruses, although they have also been detected in blood, milk, urine and seminal fluid. They present high viral diversity, and up to date 13 types are recognized (BPV-1 a BPV-13). Although they were originally described in cattle, some genotypes (BPV-1 and BPV-2) have been associated with the development of papillomas in buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and yaks. Some genotypes also have been associated with the development of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract and in the urinary bladder in cattle, and with equine sarcoids. BPV infection has been described in different areas of the world, although not all genotypes have the same prevalence. Recent studies show a high incidence of multiple infections.