BPV–2 associated papillomatosis in Indian water buffaloes

Twenty cases of cutaneous warts (CWs) were recorded. Grossly and microscopically these were similar to those described in cattle as cauliflower-like or dome shaped and diagnosed as fibropapilloma/papilloma. These were characterized by presence of koilocytes, keratohyaline granules and inclusion bodies. BPV-like particles were demonstrated by negative staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). BPV-2 was detected from CWs by PCR and confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. CWs were successfully transmitted to hamsters, cattle and buffaloes. Lesions produced in hamsters were early fibromatosis to fibromas and those in cattle and buffaloes were identical to those in natural cases. This is the first confirmed report of BPV-2 associated papillomatosis in Indian water buffaloes and its transmission.