EPITHELIAL NEOPLASMS OF THE SKIN, THE CUTANEOUS MUCOSA AND THE TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM IN DOGS - AN IMMUNOLOCALIZATION STUDY FOR PAPILLOMAVIRUS ANTIGEN

In order to study the prevalence of papillomavirus antigen in canine e pithelial neoplasms, 535 neoplastic and hyperplastic specimens of the skin, the cutaneous mucosa and the transitional epithelium were immuno histochemically stained with a polyclonal antiserum against papillomav irus antigen. A positive staining result occurred in 44.2% in a total of 95 papillomas and in 27% of 100 diagnosed squamous cell carcinomas, other rumours did not react with the applied antiserum. Papillomaviru s antigen was detectable in 54.2% of all oral and ocular papillomas an d in 37.0% of all cutaneous papillomas. The majority of the squamous c ell carcinomas with detectable papillomavirus antigen were considered positive but not without restrictions. The average age of dogs with vi ral oral and ocular papillomas was 2.3 years, with viral cutaneous pap illomas it was 3.2 years. The average age of dogs with virus-positive squamous cell carcinomas was nearly 11 years. Papillomavirus-Like part icles were demonstrated by means of transmission electron microscopy i n three positive oral papillomas, in the positive squamous cell carcin omas virion detection failed.