RESUMO
Parapoxvirus (PPV) infections are considered neglected zoonoses because their incidence is often unknown or greatly underestimated despite being endemic globally. Here, we report the comprehensive diagnostic workflow that led to the identification of two cases of persistent PPV infections. The results obtained underline the importance of adopting a "One Health" approach and cross-sectoral collaboration between human and veterinary medicine for precise aetiological diagnosis and correct management of patients affected by zoonotic diseases.
Assuntos
Parapoxvirus , Infecções por Poxviridae , Animais , Humanos , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Infecções por Poxviridae/epidemiologia , Infecções por Poxviridae/veterináriaRESUMO
Sarcoids are the most common cutaneous tumor of equids and are caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV). Different clinical subtypes of sarcoids are well characterized clinically but not histologically, and it is not known whether viral activity influences the clinical or histological appearance of the tumors. The aim of this study was to verify whether the development of different clinical types of sarcoids or the presence of certain histological features were associated with BPV distribution within the tumor. The presence of BPV was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and visualized in histological sections by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) in 74 equine sarcoids. Furthermore, to better characterize the molecular features of neoplastic cells, immunohistochemistry for S100, smooth muscle actin-α (αSMA), and fibroblast-associated protein-α (FAPα) was performed. The presence of BPV was confirmed in all tissues examined by either or both PCR and CISH (72/74, 97% each). Of 70/74 CISH-positive cases, signal distribution appeared as either diffuse (61/70, 87%) or subepithelial (9/70, 13%); the latter was more frequently observed in the verrucous subtype. However, no statistically significant association was found between clinical subtypes and specific histological features or hybridization pattern. Moreover, CISH signal for BPV was not detected in the epidermis overlying sarcoids nor in the tissue surrounding the neoplasms. By immunohistochemistry, αSMA confirmed the myofibroblastic differentiation of neoplastic cells in 28/74 (38%) sarcoids. Using tissue microarrays, FAPα labelling was observed in neoplastic fibroblasts of all sarcoids, suggesting this marker as a potential candidate for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of sarcoids.
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Papillomavirus Bovino 1 , Doenças dos Cavalos , Ácidos Nucleicos , Infecções por Papillomavirus , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Animais , Papillomavirus Bovino 1/genética , DNA Viral , Fibroblastos , Cavalos , Infecções por Papillomavirus/veterinária , Neoplasias Cutâneas/veterináriaRESUMO
Two novel bovine papillomavirus type 7 (BPV-7) variants have been identified in teat cutaneous papillomas affecting dairy cows in northern Italy. The entire genome sequences of two BPV-7 Italian variants showed major sequence differences in the long control region (LCR) and in the L2 gene compared to the Japanese reference strain. In order to define the stability of these genetic variants, the L2 and LCR sequences of seven further BPV-7 positive isolates were characterized. An insertion of six amino acids in the L2 structural protein has been detected in all samples while different genetic variants have been identified for the LCR. These findings provide new insights on intra-type variability of BPVs and represent a starting point for future studies aimed at establishing the biological role of the different BPV genomic regions and investigating the pathogenic potential of papillomavirus variants.
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Variação Genética , Genoma Viral , Papillomaviridae/genética , Animais , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/virologia , Ordem dos Genes , Genômica , Itália , Fases de Leitura Aberta , Papillomaviridae/classificação , Infecções por Papillomavirus/veterinária , Filogenia , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is responsible for immunodeficiency syndrome in cats. Several viral subtypes have been identified, each with a variable geographical distribution. To date, the subtype B is known to be the genotype spread in Italy. In this study, the genetic diversity of FIV in northern Italy was assessed by detecting proviral DNA in the blood samples of 50 cats determined to be positive through an anti-FIV antibodies test. These cats were tested using six different PCR assays, and the identified viruses were sequenced and analyzed. Forty-eight cats were confirmed positive, and several FIV subtypes were characterized. As expected, the subtype B was the most commonly observed, and the subtype A was reported for the first time in Italy. Moreover, a new taxon possibly representing an additional FIV subtype was detected, and one virus belonging to subtype B potentially had a recombinant origin. The genetic variability between the FIV viruses that emerged in this study may lead to the potential diagnostic failure of single molecular tests. Therefore, a new diagnostic strategy, which adopts different molecular tests and sequencing, is recommended to monitor the evolution and spread of FIV.
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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is responsible for feline leukemia syndrome in domestic cats. The prevention and control of disease caused by FeLV are primarily based on vaccination and identification and isolation of infected subjects. Antigen diagnostic methods, which are the most widely used in clinical practices, can be associated to molecular tests to characterize the FeLV detected. In this study, a quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR (qPCR) assay was used to detect FeLV proviral DNA in blood samples from antigen positive cats referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in Northern Italy in 2018-2021. To genetically characterize the identified viruses, a portion of the viral envelope (env) gene was amplified using six different end-point PCRs and sequenced. Twenty-two of 26 (84.6%) cats included in the study tested positive by qPCR assay. This suggests a high performance of the qPCR adopted but further studies are required to investigate the cause of discordant results between the antigen test and qPCR in four cats. From env gene analysis, 15/22 qPCR-positive cats were infected by FeLV subtype A and 5/15 shown coinfection with subtype B.
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Vírus da Leucemia Felina , Leucemia Felina , Animais , Vírus da Leucemia Felina/genética , Vírus da Leucemia Felina/isolamento & purificação , Gatos , Itália/epidemiologia , Leucemia Felina/virologia , Doenças do Gato/virologia , Hospitais Veterinários , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/veterinária , Infecções por Retroviridae/veterinária , Infecções por Retroviridae/virologia , Infecções Tumorais por Vírus/veterinária , Infecções Tumorais por Vírus/virologia , Feminino , Masculino , Hospitais de EnsinoRESUMO
Animals, including wildlife, are part of One-Health concept since many infectious diseases can affect both humans and animals. In this study, 126 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northern Italy in 2022-2023 were tested by molecular assays for Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 (PPVC-1), Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), Circovirus canine (CanineCV), Canine distemper virus (CDV), and Leptospira spp. A total of 39 of 126 (30.9%) red foxes were infected with at least one pathogen and five of these were coinfected: 20/126 (15.9%) red foxes tested positive for PPVC-1, 3/126 (2.4%) for CAdV, 20/126 (15.9%) for CanineCV, and 2/126 (1.6%) for Leptospira spp. DNA. No foxes tested positive for CDV RNA. The pathogens identified were genetically analysed. New findings were reported such as a fox with multiple feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus type 2b (CPV-2b) infection associated with quasispecies dynamics, typical genetic characteristics of the identified CanineCV, and the first detection in red foxes of Leptospira ST198 related to L. interrogans serogroup Australis. Further studies are necessary to investigate the transmission between domestic animals and wildlife and to understand the role of red foxes in the maintenance of these pathogens not only in the wild but also in urban and peri-urban environments.
RESUMO
Bats are source of coronaviruses closely related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. Numerous studies have been carried out to identify new bat viruses related to SARS-coronavirus (bat-SARS-like CoVs) using a reverse-transcribed-polymerase chain reaction assay. However, a qualitative PCR could underestimate the prevalence of infection, affecting the epidemiological evaluation of bats in viral ecology. In this work an SYBR Green-real time PCR assay was developed for diagnosing infection with SARS-related coronaviruses from bat guano and was applied as screening tool in a survey carried out on 45 greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) sampled in Italy in 2009. The assay showed high sensitivity and reproducibility. Its application on bats screening resulted in a prevalence of 42%. This method could be suitable as screening tool in epidemiological surveys about the presence of bat-SARS-like CoVs, consequently to obtain a more realistic scenario of the viral prevalence in the population.
Assuntos
Quirópteros/virologia , Coronavirus/genética , Coronavírus Relacionado à Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave/genética , Animais , Coronavirus/patogenicidade , Infecções por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Infecções por Coronavirus/virologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo RealRESUMO
The limping syndrome is occasionally reported during acute feline calicivirus (FCV) infections or as consequence of vaccination. In this retrospective study, three clinical cases of lameness in household cats naturally infected by FCV were described and phylogeny of the virus were investigated by analysing the hypervariable E region of the ORF2 viral gene. Cats were diagnosed with polyarthritis and FCV RNA or antigens were detected in symptomatic joints. One cat, euthanized for ethical reasons, underwent a complete post-mortem examination and was subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations. No phylogenetic subgrouping were evident for the sequenced FCV. Histopathology of the euthanized cat revealed diffuse fibrinous synovitis and osteoarthritis eight months after the onset of lameness and the first detection of FCV RNA, supporting the hypothesis of a persistent infection. FCV was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in synoviocytes and fibroblasts of the synovial membranes. This study provides new data on the occurrence of polyarthritis in FCV-infected cats, demonstrates by immunohistochemistry the presence of FCV in the synovial membranes of a cat with persistent polyarthritis and supports the absence of correlation between limping syndrome and phylogenetic subgrouping of viruses.
Assuntos
Artrite , Infecções por Caliciviridae , Calicivirus Felino , Doenças do Gato , Animais , Artrite/veterinária , Infecções por Caliciviridae/complicações , Infecções por Caliciviridae/epidemiologia , Infecções por Caliciviridae/veterinária , Calicivirus Felino/genética , Gatos , Coxeadura Animal , Filogenia , RNA , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
The level of One Health (OH), or "One Health-ness," of health interventions has been defined as the capacity to operate according to six dimensions concerning OH operations and OH infrastructures, respectively (thinking, planning, and working; and information sharing, reciprocal learning, and systemic organization). Although health initiatives and research increasingly claim their orientation toward OH, such a capacity is rarely assessed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the One Health-ness of the academic team of the University of Bologna (UNIBO Team) working in the "ELEPHANT" project (Empowering universities' Learning and rEsearch caPacities in the one Health Approach for the maNagement of animals at the wildlife, livestock and human interface in SouTh Africa). This project involves universities, six from South Africa and two from Europe, and aims at embedding OH in research and learning to enable the control of diseases at the human, animal, and environmental interface, and to emphasize the interests of local African communities with wildlife conservation. The methodology adopts the NEOH method, developed in 2018 by the EU-COST Action, "Network for the Evaluation of One Health." The approach is based on questionnaires delivered to participants, which focus on the six OH dimensions, and then translate answers into quantitative metrics through the OH Index (OHI) and the OH Ratio (OHR). The following two evaluation levels are foreseen: the whole project and the single partner institutions. The evaluations are carried on in parallel, with preliminary, mid-term, and final assessments, to monitor the efficacy of the project actions. The preliminary evaluation of the UNIBO Team resulted in the OHI of 0.23 and the OHR of 1.69 which indicate a low degree of OH-ness and an imbalance between OH operation and OH infrastructure. The UNIBO case study will be the baseline for the evaluation of the other partner institutions involved in the ELEPHANT project. This type of evaluation can support the implementation of OH practices inside a project and underpin the strategies that allow to achieving more effective results. Any improvement in the OH-ness of each single academic team can be also considered as a result of the ELEPHANT project, thus showing its multiplier effect in the context.
Assuntos
Saúde Única , Animais , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , África do Sul , UniversidadesRESUMO
Hypomyelination is a rare consequence of in utero bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection. We describe a BVDV outbreak in a naïve Holstein dairy herd in northern Italy, with an unusually high prevalence of calves with neurological signs, generalised tremors and ataxia. Histological analysis showed that hypomyelination was the predominant lesion and that the most typical BVDV neuropathological findings (e.g. cerebellar hypoplasia) were absent. Virological and molecular analyses showed that non-cytopathic BVDV genotype 1b was associated with the calves' neurological signs and excluded other viruses responsible for congenital infection or neurological disorders. Whole-genome sequencing of BVDVs from the brain of a calf with neurological signs and the whole blood of a persistently infected herd-mate with no such sign showed >99.7 % sequence identity. Analysis of the quasispecies distribution revealed the greatest variation rates in regions coding for the structural proteins E1 and E2. Variation was slightly greater in the brain- than in the blood-derived sequence and occurred at different sites, suggesting the occurrence of distinct evolutionary processes in the two persistently infected calves. Molecular characterisation of BVDV genomes from five other calves with neurological signs from the same farm confirmed that the E1 and E2 regions were the most variable. Several factors, including genetic variability and host factors, appear to have contributed to the observed unique BVDV disease phenotype, characterised by hypomyelination and neurological signs.
Assuntos
Doença das Mucosas por Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina/epidemiologia , Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina Tipo 1/imunologia , Surtos de Doenças/veterinária , Genoma Viral/genética , Tremor/veterinária , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Doença das Mucosas por Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina/virologia , Bovinos , Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina Tipo 1/genética , Feminino , Genótipo , Masculino , Fenótipo , Tremor/congênito , Tremor/epidemiologia , Sequenciamento Completo do Genoma/veterináriaRESUMO
A pedunculated cauliflower-like mass was detected on the left posterior limb of a subadult male red deer (Cervus elaphus) after a hunt in Portugal. Histologically the lesion was classified as cutaneous fibropapilloma. The identification of Cervus elaphus papillomavirus (CePV-1 variant) was based on sequencing of the L1 gene. The L2 sequence revealed a nine-nucleotide deletion, as already reported in the Italian and Hungarian CePV-1, further supporting the theory that this is a distinctive genomic characteristic of this viral variant, as this feature has been found in distinct cases from geographically distant countries. In addition, a coinfection with bovine papillomavirus was evidenced by amplification and sequencing of the E5 gene, confirming the ability of Delta papillomaviruses to cross-infect different animal species and providing more evidence that wildlife may act as reservoir for papillomaviruses affecting domestic species. Papillomavirus infection in red deer has been sporadically described in different European countries; in this work, we describe the identification of a CePV-1 variant infection associated with a red deer fibropapilloma in Portugal.
Assuntos
Cervos/virologia , Papillomaviridae/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Papillomavirus/veterinária , Animais , Masculino , Papillomaviridae/classificação , Papillomaviridae/genética , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , Portugal/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/veterinária , Neoplasias Cutâneas/virologiaRESUMO
We describe two cases of skin co-infections with epitheliotropic viruses, detected in two cattle during lumpy skin disease (LSD) surveillance in northern Italy. A diagnostic protocol including different molecular methods as well as negative staining electron microscopy was applied to detect the most common viral agents belonging to the family Papillomaviridae, Poxviridae and Herpesviridae which cause skin diseases in cattle. Two specimens were collected from cases clinically diagnosed as papillomatosis and pseudo-LSD. Both skin lesions were shown to harbor more than one viral species. This case report shows, for the first time, co-infection of zoonotic parapoxvirus with bovine papillomavirus and herpesvirus in skin lesions of cattle. In particular, the simultaneous presence of virions morphologically referable to parapoxvirus and papillomavirus confirms that the replication of both viruses in the same lesion can happen and the so-called papillomatosis can bear zoonotic viruses.
RESUMO
The mountain chain of the Alps, represents the habitat of alpine fauna where the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population is the outmost numerous, followed by the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and the alpine ibex (Capra ibex) at higher altitudes. Previous reports showed the circulation of epitheliotropic viruses, belonging to the families Papillomaviridae and Poxviridae, causing skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants of the Stelvio National Park, situated in the area. To deepen our knowledge on the natural dynamics of the infections, a passive surveillance on all the cases of proliferative skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants was performed. Twenty-seven samples (11 chamois, 10 red deer and 6 ibex) collected from 2008 to 2018 were analyzed by negative staining electron microscopy, histology, and PCR followed by genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results confirmed the spread of Parapoxvirus of Red Deer in New Zealand (PVNZ) in Italy, and its ability to cause severe lesions i.e., erosions and ulcers in the mouth. We showed for the first time a PVNZ/CePV1v (C. elaphus papillomavirus 1 variant) co-infection identified in one red deer. This result supports previous evidence on the ability of papillomavirus and parapoxvirus to mutually infect the same host tissue. Interestingly two ibex and one chamois showing orf virus (OV) skin lesions were shown to be co-infected with bovine papillomavirus type 1 and 2. The presence of bovine papillomavirus, in orf virus induced lesions of chamois and ibex raises the question of its pathogenetic role in these animal species. For the first time, OV/CePV1v co-infection was demonstrated in another chamois. CePV1v is sporadically reported in red deer throughout Europe and is considered species specific, its identification in a chamois suggests its ability of cross-infecting different animal species. Poxviruses and papillomavirus have been simultaneously detected also in the skin lesions of cattle, bird and human suggesting a possible advantageous interaction between these viruses. Taken together, our findings add further information on the epidemiology and pathogenetic role of epitheliotropic viruses in wild ruminants living in the central Alps and in Stelvio National Park.
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A proliferative cauliflower lesion was excised from the udder of a sheep. Histological investigation confirmed the macroscopic classification of the lesion as a papilloma, without any fibroblastic proliferation. PCR revealed the presence of bovine papillomavirus (BPV), which was further confirmed by the identification of a Deltapapillomavirus 4 by Next Generation Sequencing analysis. This was subsequently classified as bovine papillomavirus type 1. Negative staining electron microscopy (EM) analyses produced negative test results for papillomavirus particles. RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) confirmed the presence of BPV-1. The results further confirm the ability of BPVs belonging to the Deltapapillomavirus genus to infect distantly related species and to cause lesions that are different from sarcoids.
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Despite the characteristic species specificity of Papillomaviruses (PVs), the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types 1, 2, and-more rarely-13, can cross-infect equids, where they are involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoid neoplasms. Sarcoids are locally invasive fibroblastic skin tumors that represent the most common skin neoplasms in horses worldwide. The transmission mechanism of BPV is still controversial in horses. Thus far, direct and indirect routes have been implicated, while vertical transmission has been suggested after the detection of viral DNA in the semen of healthy stallions. Testing of the blood and placenta of non-sarcoid baring mares and their respective foals revealed that the equine placenta can harbor BPV DNA, leading us to speculate a possible prenatal vertical DNA transmission in equids.
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Proliferative orf virus infections in adult sheep have increased in Italy in the past few years: these extreme cases are frequently fatal and difficult to differentiate from other infectious diseases of sheep such as blue tongue. A probable explanation for the proliferative and highly vascularized nature of the lesions was found in the expression of the VEGF-E gene encoded by the orf virus. To investigate a possible role of the viral VEGF in the pathogenesis of severe persistent orf virus lesions, the activity of four VEGF-E variants was compared by an angiogenesis in vitro model. Similar angiogenic activity was found between strains isolated from the classical and the proliferative forms of the disease, even if the latter was able to develop a higher number of vessels during the first 24 h of infection. Our in vitro findings seems to exclude that the VEGF variants encoded by the strain isolated from the atypical form of the disease could be the responsible for the histopathological aspect of the proliferative lesions.
Assuntos
Ectima Contagioso/virologia , Vírus do Orf/patogenicidade , Proteínas Virais/biossíntese , Análise de Variância , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Meios de Cultivo Condicionados , Citocinas/fisiologia , Ectima Contagioso/patologia , Regulação Viral da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Neovascularização Patológica/virologia , Vírus do Orf/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Ovinos , Fatores de Tempo , Proteínas Virais/genética , Proteínas Virais/fisiologiaRESUMO
We investigated healthy skin and mucosal specimens of wild ruminants in the Italian Alps. We identified bovine papillomavirus (BPV)-2 DNA in the healthy skin of wild ruminants and documented coinfection of BPV-1 and Cervus elaphus papillomavirus (CePV)-1 in a healthy red deer (Cervus elaphus). We also demonstrated cross-infections of BPVs of the genus Xipapillomavirus, both as single virus infection and also in association with Deltapapillomavirus types 1 and 2, confirming that host tropism of papillomaviruses is not as species-speciï¬c as previously thought. Our results suggest that subclinical infections could be linked to the presence of domestic ruminants sharing the same habitat with wild species and that the wildlife may act as a reservoir for papillomaviruses affecting domestic species.
Assuntos
Mucosa/virologia , Papillomaviridae/isolamento & purificação , Ruminantes/virologia , Pele/virologia , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Cervos/virologia , Reservatórios de Doenças/veterinária , Itália , Papillomaviridae/classificação , Infecções por Papillomavirus/transmissão , Infecções por Papillomavirus/veterinária , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , Rupicapra/virologia , Carneiro Doméstico/virologiaRESUMO
While papillomavirus (PVs) are an established cause of human cancer, few reports have supported a relationship between PV and canine squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Human oncogenic PVs lead to an increased expression of the p16 tumor suppressor protein, and the latter can be demonstrated immunohistochemically to support a likely causal relationship between tumor and PV infection. In the present study, archive samples of canine SCC from different anatomical locations were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of PV DNA and by p16 immunohistochemistry. The aims were to investigate the relationship between p16 expression and presence of PV DNA, in order to assess the utility of p16 overexpression as a biomarker of PV infection in canine SCC. A total of 52 SCCs were included. Nine cases (17.3%) showed moderate p16 immunoreactivity, with no association with tumor degree of differentiation, histotype or mitotic activity. The canPVf/FAP64 primers amplified Canis familiaris PV-1 DNA from 3 out of 52 tumors (5.8%), one cutaneous, one oral and one tonsillar SCC. There was no association between PV presence and p16 immunostaining. These results do not support a significant role of PVs in the development of canine SCCs. Additionally, PV infection was apparently not the cause of the p16 immunostaining observed in a subset of canine SCCs. A better awareness of p16 level of expression and cellular function in canine cancer may help to define its diagnostic and prognostic role.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/veterinária , Inibidor p16 de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina/metabolismo , Doenças do Cão/etiologia , Doenças do Cão/metabolismo , Papillomaviridae , Infecções por Papillomavirus/complicações , Animais , Inibidor p16 de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina/genética , Doenças do Cão/patologia , Cães , Feminino , Imuno-Histoquímica , Masculino , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologiaRESUMO
A papillomavirus (PV) was identified by negative-staining electron microscopy in skin lesions of two bird species (Fringillidae) in Italy. Genetic analyses revealed an FcPV1 with a low genetic variability in the E6, E7, E1, E2, and L1 genes and the long control region when compared to the FcPV1 reference strain.
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Doenças das Aves/virologia , Aves/virologia , Papillomaviridae/classificação , Papillomaviridae/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Papillomavirus/veterinária , Animais , Doenças das Aves/epidemiologia , Itália/epidemiologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologiaRESUMO
Our study describes a newly developed mini-array test for the rapid detection of poxviruses in animals and humans. The method is based on detection that combines target nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction and specific hybridization, using enzyme-linked antibodies, allowing identification of zoonotic orthopoxviruses and parapoxviruses in animal and human biological samples. With 100% specificity, the test rules out the possibility of cross-reactions with viral agents causing look-alike diseases. The assay was employed in the field to investigate the causes of several outbreaks of a malignant proliferative skin disease that affected domestic ruminants in Sicily during 2011-2014. Due to specific aspects of the lesions, the animals were clinically diagnosed with papillomatosis. The mini-array test allowed the identification of coinfections caused by more than 1 viral species belonging to the Parapoxvirus and Orthopoxvirus genera, either in goats or in cattle. Our study suggests that the so-called "papillomatosis" can be the result of multiple infections with epitheliotropic viruses, including zoonotic poxviruses that cannot be properly identified with classical diagnostic techniques.