Detection of a Novel Papillomavirus Type within a Feline Cutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are rare skin tumors of cats. The presently described cat developed a BCC on the flank and another on the thorax. The flank BCC was large and recurred after surgery. The neoplasm contained unusual histological features that included a spindle-shaped appearance to the cells as well as the presence of numerous large cytoplasmic bodies. The cytoplasmic bodies were consistent with papillomavirus (PV)-induced cell changes and PV DNA sequences were amplified from the mass using PCR. The sequences have not been previously reported and are most likely from a novel PV type. In contrast, the thoracic BCC had a more typical histological appearance and contained no viral cytopathic changes or amplifiable PV DNA. Observations from this case add to the variety of skin lesions associated with PVs in cats as well as increasing the likely number of PV types that infect domestic cats. A 4 cm diameter exophytic mass was excised from the left flank of a 10-year-old domestic short-haired cat. Histology of the superficial aspects of the mass revealed epidermal cells arranged in nests and trabeculae while the deeper parts of the mass consisted of small round cells arranged in sheets or bundles of elongate spindle-shaped cells. A diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was made. Approximately 40% of the cells throughout the neoplasm contained prominent papillomaviral (PV)-induced cell changes. The BCC recurred three months after excision and grew rapidly. At this time a smaller mass was observed on the thorax. Due to the rapid recurrence of the BCC, the cat was euthanatized. As in the initial mass, histology of the recurrent mass revealed pleomorphic cells that often contained PV-induced cell changes. In contrast, the thoracic mass appeared as a more typical BCC and contained no histological evidence of PV infection. A novel PV DNA sequence was amplified from the flank BCC. While the sequence was most (75.1%) similar to Felis catus papillomavirus (FcaPV) 6, the level of similarity between the sequences is consistent with a novel PV type. No PV DNA was amplifiable from the thoracic mass. The case is unique due to the histological features of the BCC and the presence of a putative novel PV type. Observations from the present case add to the number of PV types associated with disease in cats as well as increasing the spectrum of PV-induced lesions in this species.

Automated summary

This article reports a case of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in a cat. The BCC in this case appeared on the flank and thorax with different histological features. The flank BCC showed papillomavirus (PV)-induced cell changes, while no viral infection was found in the thoracic BCC. In addition, a novel PV DNA sequence was amplified from the flank BCC. The observations from this case contribute to the diversity of PV types and PV-induced lesions in cats.