Macroscopic, Histological, and Ultrastructural Characterization of Cutaneous Papillomatosis in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Authors: C.E.M.P.D.M. Cappellaro; M. H.B. Catroxo; A.M.C.R.P.F. Martins
Macroscopic, Histological, and Ultrastructural Characterization of Cutaneous Papillomatosis in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
DOI
10.25125/ijoear-sep-2026-27
DIN
IJOEAR-SEP-2026-27
Abstract

Macroscopic and microscopic observations were performed on papillomas located in the periauricular region of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), with comparison to the same anatomical region in buffaloes with normal skin. The macroscopic features of the papillomas in situ, as well as the microscopic features observed by light and electron microscopy, were described. The changes identified in the epidermal and dermal layers were predominantly proliferative, involved both regions, and supported a diagnosis of fibropapilloma. Degenerative changes were also observed in the epidermis, together with small virus-like particles located from the spinous layer toward the more superficial layers. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed areas of perinuclear degeneration, tonofibrils arranged around the nucleus and involved in the formation of intercellular bridges, melanin granules, and occasional cytoplasmic vacuoles. In these layers, in particular, osmiophilic virus-like particles were observed within the nucleus and in the intracytoplasmic spaces.

Keywords
buffalo skin papilloma cutaneous papillomatosis.
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Introduction

The buffalo Bubalus bubalis (LINNAEUS, 1758) was introduced into Brazil in 1890 from animals imported from the island of Trinidad to Marajó Island. Originating from the Asian continent, buffaloes were subsequently introduced into Europe, Oceania, and the Americas and are currently adapted to a wide variety of ecosystems worldwide (MARQUES & CARDOSO, 1997).

Buffaloes have productive aptitudes similar to those observed in cattle of European and Indian origin and can be used for milk and meat production and as draft animals. Although they are naturally more rustic, they have a high capacity for domestication, a process dating back to prehistoric times, particularly in regions of Indochina (MARQUES & CARDOSO, 1997).

Among the organs directly involved in the interaction between the organism and the environment, the skin stands out as one of the largest organs of the body and is responsible for covering the body surface. In addition to acting as a physical protective barrier against external agents, it performs several essential functions for maintaining organismal homeostasis. The skin consists of the epidermis, which is of ectodermal origin, and the dermis, which is of mesodermal origin. The epidermis is avascular, and its cells undergo progressive differentiation and keratinization, forming an important protective barrier against physical, chemical, and biological agents (JUNQUEIRA & CARNEIRO, 2013).

Warts or papillomas have long been recognized and described as disorders of the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals. These growths are regarded as benign neoplastic lesions characterized primarily by the proliferative nature of the epithelium (FUJIMOTO & OLSON, 1966). The term papilloma came into use in the late nineteenth century to designate tumors formed by dermal papillae covered by epithelium (HELIAD, 1934). Over time, different forms of papillomatosis have been observed in several animal species, including horses and cattle, with variations in location and morphology related to the host and the type of virus involved (OLSON, 1963; LANCASTER & OLSON, 1982).

The etiology of papillomas was debated for many years. The viral nature of the disease began to be demonstrated in the early twentieth century, when CIUFFO (1907) described the existence of a filterable agent associated with human papillomas. Subsequently, MAGALHÃES (1920), working with bovine warts, demonstrated their viral origin by intradermal inoculation or skin scarification using cell-free filtrates obtained from papilloma suspensions. CREECH (1929) confirmed the infectivity of these filtrates, demonstrating that suspensions of bovine cutaneous papillomas were capable of reproducing the disease in healthy animals and that the resulting lesions could infect new animals.

The viral nature of papillomas was subsequently reinforced by experimental studies investigating their transmission, composition, and pathological changes in different settings (KOLLER & OLSON, 1972). In 1949, electron microscopy enabled visualization of virus-like particles in papillomas, associated with intranuclear inclusions arranged in crystalline patterns (STRAUSS et al., 1949). Other ultrastructural studies contributed to characterization of the viral particles and their relationship with epithelial cells (ALMEIDA et al., 1962; CHAPMAN et al., 1963). The papillomavirus genome was characterized as a circular double-stranded DNA molecule (FUJIMOTO & OLSON, 1966).

Papillomaviruses are small, non-enveloped viruses with an icosahedrally symmetrical capsid approximately 55–60 nm in diameter. The capsid consists of 72 capsomers corresponding to pentamers of the L1 structural protein and also contains the minor capsid protein L2. Within the capsid is a circular double-stranded DNA molecule associated with cellular histones. Virions have a sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) of approximately 300S and a buoyant density of approximately 1.34–1.35 g/cm³ in cesium chloride (ICTV, 2018).

Conclusion

Microscopically, proliferative and degenerative changes in keratinocytes were observed, with acanthosis, vacuolation, and changes that became progressively more evident in the superficial epidermal layers.

Ultrastructurally, nuclear and cytoplasmic changes, vacuolation, modifications of tonofibrils, desmosomes, and intercellular cohesion, and structures morphologically resembling viral particles were observed, mainly in the more differentiated epidermal layers.

These findings are compatible with the possible involvement of papillomavirus in the pathogenesis of the lesions, although confirmation of their viral nature and determination of the BPV type involved depend on the use of specific methods, such as molecular or immunohistochemical techniques.

Agriculture Journal IJOEAR Call for Papers

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