A putatively novel papillomavirus associated with cutaneous plaques and squamous cell carcinoma in captive North American snow leopards ().

Cutaneous plaques and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are common in captive North American snow leopards (SLs) (). Our objective was to determine whether these lesions are potentially associated with papillomavirus(es). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on 3 cutaneous plaques using degenerate primers for papillomaviruses.

A subset of equine oral squamous cell carcinomas is associated with Equus caballus papillomavirus 2 infection.

The aetiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses is unknown, but papillomavirus infection as well as chronic periodontal disease are suspected to play a pathogenic role. In humans, some oropharyngeal cancers develop in association with human papillomaviruses. Equus caballus papillomavirus 2 (EcPV2) is suspected to play a causal role in the development of equine genital SCC.