Genomic characterization of Erethizon dorsatum papillomavirus 2, a new papillomavirus species marked by its exceptional genome size.

We report here the complete sequence and genome organization of a new papillomavirus, Erethizon dorsatum papillomavirus 2 (EdPV2), which was isolated from cutaneous lesions observed on the muzzle of a North American porcupine. The complete genome is 8809 nucleotides long and encodes five early (E6-E7-E1-E2-E4) and two late proteins (L2-L1). In addition to the upstream regulatory region, the EdPV2 genome contains an exceptionally large secondary non-coding region with no apparent functional relevance. EdPV2 is strongly divergent from the previously described porcupine papillomavirus EdPV1 and phylogenetic analysis shows EdPV2 clustering near members of the genus Pipapillomavirus, a group of rodent papillomaviruses. Pairwise sequence comparison based on the L1 open reading frame identifies Rattus norvegicus papillomavirus 1 as the closest related virus (59.97 % similarity). Based on its low sequence similarity to other known papillomaviruses, EdPV2 is thought to represent a new genus in the family Papillomaviridae.

Investigation of subclinical bacteriuria in cats with dermatological disease receiving long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin.

BACKGROUND: Dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoids or ciclosporin have an increased frequency of bacteriuria. No studies have investigated the frequency of bacteriuria in cats receiving long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin. HYPOTHESES/OBJECTIVES: To document whether subclinical bacteriuria occurs in cats receiving long-term glucocorticoid and/or ciclosporin for management of chronic disease. ANIMALS: Thirty two cats treated with parenteral glucocorticoids and/or oral glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin were included. METHODS: Thirty two cats receiving oral glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin for at least three months or at least two injections of long-acting glucocorticoids within the preceding six months were evaluated. Thirty four healthy cats were used as a control group. Urinalysis and urine culture was performed on urine samples collected by cystocentesis from each cat. RESULTS: In the glucocorticoid/ciclosporin group, none of 32 cats had a positive urine culture. In the control group, one of 34 cats had a positive urine culture. There were no statistically significant differences between the urinalyses from either group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: There was no evidence to suggest that administration of long-term glucocorticoids and/or ciclosporin is associated with bacteriuria in cats.