Detection of a novel papillomaviral sequence in viral plaques confined to the pinna of a dog.

A raised plaque that contained histological evidence of papillomavirus infection and sequences from a novel papillomavirus type developed close to the ear canal of a 14-year-old West Highland white terrier. The plaque was excised, and further plaques developed within the same area of pinna.

Une plaque virale à papillomavirus confirmée histologiquement contenant des séquences d'un un nouveau type de papillomavirus se sont développées à proximité du conduit auditif d'un West Highland White âgé de 14 ans. La plaque a été retirée chirurgicalement et d'autres plaques se sont développées dans la même zone du pavillon.

Una placa elevada que contenía evidencia histológica de infección por papilomavirus y secuencias de un nuevo tipo de papilomavirus se desarrolló cerca del canal auditivo de un West Highland White Terrier de 14 años. Se extirpó la placa y se desarrollaron más placas dentro de la misma área del pabellón auricular.

Uma placa elevada apresentando evidências histopatológicas de infecção por papilomavírus e sequências de um novo tipo de papilomavírus surgiu próximo ao conduto auditivo de um West Highland White Terrier de 14 anos de idade. A placa foi removida e outras placas se desenvolveram na mesma área da orelha.

Molecular and genomic characterization of a novel equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus.

Cases of pox-like lesions in horses and donkeys have been associated with poxviruses belonging to different genera of the family Poxviridae. These include the orthopoxviruses vaccinia virus (VACV), horsepoxvirus (HPXV) and cowpoxvirus (CPXV), as well as a potentially novel parapoxvirus and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). However, with the exception of VACV, HPXV and CPXV, the genomic characterization of the causative agents remains largely elusive with only single short genome fragments available. Here we present the first full-length genome sequence of an equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus (EMCLV) directly determined from skin biopsies of a horse with generalized papular dermatitis. Histopathological analysis of the lesions revealed severe epidermal hyperplasia with numerous eosinophilic inclusion bodies within keratinocytes. Virions were detected in the lesions in embedded tissue by transmission electron microscopy. The genome sequence determined by next- and third-generation sequencing comprises 166 843 nt with inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) of 3473 nt. Overall, 20 of the predicted 159 ORFs have no equivalents in other poxviruses. Intriguingly, two of these ORFs were identified to encode homologues of mammalian proteins involved in immune signalling pathways, namely secreted and transmembrane protein 1 (SECTM1) and insulin growth factor-like family receptor 1 (IGFLR1), that were not described in any virus family so far. Phylogenetic analysis with all relevant representatives of the Poxviridae suggests that EMCLV should be nominated as a new species within the genus Molluscipoxvirus.

Discovery of a phylogenetically distinct poxvirus in diseased Crocodilurus amazonicus (family Teiidae).

A novel poxvirus was discovered in Crocodilurus amazonicus (Teiidae) presenting with a debilitating skin disease. The generated first genome sequence of a reptilian poxvirus revealed the closest phylogenetic relationship to avipoxviruses, highlighting potential virus exchanges between avian and reptilian species.

Zika Virus Infection in Tupaia belangeri Causes Dermatological Manifestations and Confers Protection against Secondary Infection.

Animal models of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection have recently been established in mice, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates. Tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) are an emerging experimental animal in biomedical applications, but their susceptibility to ZIKV infection has not been explored. In the present study, we show that subcutaneous inoculation of ZIKV led to rapid viremia and viral secretion in saliva, as well as to typical dermatological manifestations characterized by massive diffuse skin rash on the trunk. Global transcriptomic sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from ZIKV-infected animals revealed systematic gene expression changes related to the inflammatory response and dermatological manifestations. Importantly, ZIKV infection readily triggered the production of high-titer neutralizing antibodies, thus preventing secondary homologous infection in tree shrews. However, neonatal tree shrews succumbed to ZIKV challenge upon intracerebral infection. The tree shrew model described here recapitulates the most common dermatological manifestations observed in ZIKV-infected patients and may greatly facilitate the elucidation of ZIKV pathogenesis and the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics.IMPORTANCE The reemergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused a global public health crisis since 2016, and there are currently no vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat ZIKV infection. However, considerable advances have been made in understanding the biology and pathogenesis of ZIKV infection. In particular, various animal models have been successfully established to mimic ZIKV infection and its associated neurological diseases and to evaluate potential countermeasures. However, the clinical symptoms in these mouse and nonhuman primate models are different from the common clinical manifestations seen in human ZIKV patients; in particular, dermatological manifestations are rarely recapitulated in these animal models. Here, we developed a new animal model of ZIKV infection in tree shrews, a rat-sized, primate-related mammal. In vitro and in vivo characterization of ZIKV infection in tree shrews established a direct link between ZIKV infection and the immune responses and dermatological manifestations. The tree shrew model described here, as well as other available animal models, provides a valuable platform to study ZIKV pathogenesis and to evaluate vaccines and therapeutics.

Pseudocowpox virus infection in an American bison (Bison bison).

BACKGROUND: The present report describes a case of pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) infection in a seven-year-old female bison euthanized due to a history of declining condition and sores on the vulva and udder. CASE PRESENTATION: External examination revealed multifocal, raised, keratinized plaques (0.5-2 cm) covering the skin of the ventral surface of the tail, perineum, caudoventral abdomen, udder, both inguinal recesses, and the medial aspects of both thighs. No significant gross lesions were present in the reminder of the tissues examined. Histopathological examination of the affected skin showed moderate epidermal hyperplasia with rete pegs, marked parakeratotic hyperkeratosis with crusts of degenerate neutrophils and cell debris, and few epithelial cells undergoing ballooning degeneration with occasional eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (3-5 µm Bollinger body). Negative staining electron microscopy from skin revealed typical Parapoxvirus (PPV) particles, which were also confirmed by real-time PCR (Ct =18.6). Metagenomic analysis of the skin samples revealed only poxviruses. The bison parapox B2L envelope gene clustered with other parapox sequences identified from ruminants. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of PCPV virus infection in an American bison. Identification of novel susceptible hosts of parapox viruses sheds light on the viral evolution and highlights the importance of potential economic impact of this disease to the bison industry.

Progression of aural plaques to squamous cell carcinoma in a horse.

BACKGROUND: Aural plaques are associated with and thought to be caused by one or more Equus caballus papillomaviruses (EcPV). Aural plaques have not previously been reported to be associated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe a horse with aural plaques and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the right pinna. ANIMALS: A 28-year-old thoroughbred gelding presented for multiple plaques and a mass on the right pinna. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pinnal resection, histopathological investigation, multiple conventional PCRs for papillomavirus DNA and Sanger sequencing were performed. RESULTS: Multiple, raised, pale tan, fronded plaques covered 60% of the concave surface of the right pinna. Focally these plaques coalesced into an exophytic ulcerated mass near the base of the pinna. Multiple aural plaques and a SCC were diagnosed histopathologically. EcPV4 was detected via PCR in a sample of the SCC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This report demonstrates the possibility of malignant transformation from aural plaques to SCC on the pinna of a horse. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of EcPV4 associated with SCC.

Genetic characterization of a putative new type of bovine papillomavirus in the Xipapillomavirus 1 species in a Brazilian dairy herd.

Currently, bovine papillomavirus types are divided into five genera, namely, Deltapapillomavirus, Epsilonpapillomavirus, Xipapillomavirus, Dyoxipapillomavirus, and Dyokappapapillomavirus. In the recent decades, the characterization of numerous putative and novel bovine papillomavirus types from cattle in several geographic regions, has revealed the occurrence of a high viral diversity. In this study, we describe the identification and characterization of a putative new bovine papillomavirus type within species Xipapillomavirus 1 of Xipapillomavirus genus. The detection of the viral types identified in the skin warts was obtained by polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the L1 gene, followed by direct sequencing of the generated amplicons. The partial L1 sequences revealed that bovine papillomavirus types 6, 10, and 11, the putative new bovine papillomavirus type designated BPV/CHI-SW2, and an unreported putative new bovine papillomavirus type (named BPV/BR-UEL08) were associated with cutaneous papillomatosis in the cows from the dairy herd investigated. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the L1 gene revealed that the BPV/BR-UEL08 isolate clustered with other bovine papillomaviruses classified in the Xipapillomavirus genus, being closely related to representatives of the species Xipapillomavirus 1. Investigations focusing on the molecular epidemiology of bovine papillomaviruses related to clinical outcomes in cattle are of fundamental importance to determine the actual genetic diversity and prevalent viral types to be included in vaccines for cattle.

Herpesvirus skin disease in free-living common frogs Rana temporaria in Great Britain.

Infectious disease is a significant driver of global amphibian declines, yet despite this, relatively little is known about the range of pathogens that affect free-living amphibians. Recent detection of the tentatively named Ranid herpesvirus 3 (RHV3), associated with skin disease in free-living common frogs Rana temporaria in Switzerland, helps to address this paucity in knowledge, but the geographic distribution and epidemiology of the pathogen remains unclear. Syndromic surveillance for ranid herpesvirus skin disease was undertaken throughout Great Britain (GB), January 2014 to December 2016. Reports of common frogs with macroscopic skin lesions with a characteristic grey appearance were solicited from members of the public. Post-mortem examination was conducted on one affected frog found dead in 2015 at a site in England. In addition, archived samples from an incident involving common frogs in England in 1997 with similar macroscopic lesions were further investigated. Transmission electron microscopy identified herpes-like virions in skin lesions from both the 1997 and 2015 incidents. RHV3, or RHV3-like virus, was detected in skin lesions from the 2015 case by PCR and sequencing. Our findings indicate that herpesvirus skin disease is endemic in common frogs in GB, with widespread distribution at apparently low prevalence. Further research into the role of host immunity, virus latency and the significance of infection to host survival is required to better understand the epidemiology and impact of cutaneous herpesvirus infections in amphibian populations.

Feline herpesvirus ulcerative dermatitis: an atypical case?

BACKGROUND: Feline herpesvirus ulcerative dermatitis is an uncommon skin disease in cats, with a predominantly facial distribution characterized by massive infiltration of eosinophils and, occasionally, predominant neutrophils. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and histopathological features of a putative atypical case of feline herpesvirus dermatitis. ANIMAL: A 10-month-old, intact male, European cat was presented with chronic monolateral ulcerative dermatitis with adherent crusts on the left pinna. The lesion had been present for six months and worsened after the administration of corticosteroids. METHODS: Clinical and histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry, nested PCR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Histological examination of skin biopsies showed multifocal ulcerative and necrotic lesions, involving the superficial and deep dermis covered by thick haemorrhagic and serocellular crusts. The superficial, medium and deep dermis was heavily infiltrated with mast cells and plasma cells, with a lower number of neutrophils and eosinophils. In the nuclei of some cells in the deep dermis, whose histotype was unrecognizable with routine haematoxylin and eosin stain, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were noticed. Nested PCR and TEM supported the hypothesis of FeHV-1-induced dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This case is noteworthy for the infrequent location on the pinna and the atypical histopathological features of the lesion, with a predominant infiltration of mast cells and plasma cells. Our findings suggest that herpesvirus dermatitis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in case of ulcerative dermatitis when the location and histological features are atypical.

Virus-associated papillomatous skin lesions in a giant guitarfish Rhynchobatus djiddensis: a case report.

Although elasmobranch species are increasingly displayed in public aquaria, knowledge of disease in wild and captive elasmobranchs, as well as the agents involved, remains limited, and descriptions are often incomplete. This report describes papillomatous skin lesions in a juvenile giant guitarfish Rhynchobatus djiddensis associated with intranuclear viral particles. Skin biopsies were collected from multiple, friable, raised, villonodular skin lesions affecting pigmented and non-pigmented skin of the caudal fin and ventrum, respectively. Microscopic examination revealed papillary proliferation of the epidermis, with widespread marked karyomegaly of squamous epithelial cells. In approximately 75% of nuclei, chromatin was marginated by one to multiple, large, amphophilic inclusions. Large numbers of unencapsulated, 75 nm, icosahedral viral particles were observed to form large arrays in affected nuclei using transmission electron microscopy. Based on intranuclear location, particle size and morphology, a consensus nested-PCR for adenovirus polymerase was attempted. However, no adenoviral gene sequence was amplified. The nature of the involved virus remains unknown and an ongoing area of investigation. Lesions regressed completely over a 6 mo period, during which time the animal showed no signs of systemic illness, and there has been no recrudescence for 6 mo following resolution. Two cohorts of similar age and in close contact with the case animal were unaffected.

Carbon dioxide laser treatment of extensive pigmented viral plaque lesions in a golden retriever dog.

BACKGROUND: Canine pigmented viral plaque (PVP) is an uncommon skin disease, associated with papillomavirus infection. Lesions are usually small (<1 cm diameter), pigmented macules to plaques on the ventral abdomen and medial thigh. ANIMALS: An 8-year-old male, neutered golden retriever dog presented with numerous dark plaques forming cohesive plaques on the ventrum extending down the medial aspect of both hind legs. The plaques were associated with significant pruritus. RESULTS: Histology confirmed a diagnosis of PVP and PCR amplified Canis familiaris papillomavirus 4 from a formalin fixed plaque sample. The PVPs were completely resolved by two courses of CO2 laser treatment. There was very minimal postoperative discomfort and no relapse or new lesion development within a 12 months follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Extensive PVPs have not previously been described in a golden retriever dog or previously reported to cause pruritus in dogs. Due to the large skin area involved, surgical excision was not feasible in this case. However, two rounds of treatment using laser were completely curative for both focal pedunculated and plaque-like PVP lesions. Additionally, compared to surgical excision, laser treatment is expected to result in less postoperative discomfort, reduced surgery time and fewer postoperative infections. This is the first report of successful treatment of canine PVPs using a CO2 laser. The success of this treatment in this case suggests that laser provides an excellent treatment option for extensive PVPs in dogs.

TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HERPESVIRAL DERMATITIS IN A CAPTIVE CHEETAH (ACINONYX JUBATUS) IN NAMIBIA.

A 9-yr-old male cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) housed at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia developed cutaneous lesions consisting of alopecia, erythema, ulceration, and crusting on the left fore and hind limbs. Histopathology of skin biopsies in conjunction with indirect fluorescent antibody and polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed a diagnosis of feline herpesvirus-1 dermatitis; microbial culture indicated secondary bacterial infection. Therapy included targeted systemic antimicrobial and antiviral treatment, topical medications, and repeated cryotherapy. Lesions exhibited varying degrees of clinical improvement but, overall, progressed in extent, size, and severity during the subsequent 2.5 yr of intense treatment. The cheetah was ultimately euthanized due to a guarded prognosis and concerns about poor quality of life. Potential factors initiating or contributing (or both) to the severity and nonhealing nature of the cutaneous lesions include chronic unidentified stress, altered immune system function, and other environmental influences.

Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in naturally occurring bovine cutaneous fibropapillomas.

Bovine cutaneous fibropapillomas are benign skin tumours characterized by epithelial and dermal proliferation and induced by Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs). Cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 are enzymes involved in pathological conditions, such as inflammation and epithelial carcinogenesis. Here we investigated biochemically and immunohistochemically COX-2 expression in bovine cutaneous fibropapillomas. Eight of twelve fibropapillomas (67%) showed COX-2 positive immunosignal mostly in the cytoplasm of the basal cell layer, while the normal skin did not stain. Biochemical analysis confirmed the expression of COX-2 in tumour samples. This study shows COX-2 expression in cutaneous fibropapillomas, suggesting a contribution in epithelial tumour development.

Marek's disease virus and skin interactions.

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is a highly contagious herpesvirus which induces T-cell lymphoma in the chicken. This virus is still spreading in flocks despite forty years of vaccination, with important economical losses worldwide. The feather follicles, which anchor feathers into the skin and allow their morphogenesis, are considered as the unique source of MDV excretion, causing environmental contamination and disease transmission. Epithelial cells from the feather follicles are the only known cells in which high levels of infectious mature virions have been observed by transmission electron microscopy and from which cell-free infectious virions have been purified. Finally, feathers harvested on animals and dust are today considered excellent materials to monitor vaccination, spread of pathogenic viruses, and environmental contamination. This article reviews the current knowledge on MDV-skin interactions and discusses new approaches that could solve important issues in the future.

Molecular detection of avian pox virus from nodular skin and mucosal fibrinonecrotic lesions of Iranian backyard poultry.

In recent years, some outbreaks of skin lesions suspected to be avian pox were observed in the backyard poultry in different parts of western areas in Iran. Consequently, 328 backyard poultries with suspected signs of avian pox virus infection were sampled. All birds showed nodular lesions on unfeathered head skin and/or fibronecrotic lesions on mucus membrane of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. For histopathological analysis, the sections of tissue samples from cutaneous lesions of examined birds were stained with H&E method. For PCR, after DNA extraction a 578-bp fragment of avian pox virus from 4b core protein gene was amplified. Results showed 217 and 265 out of 328 (66.1 and 80.7%, respectively) samples were positive for avian pox virus on histopathological and PCR examination, respectively. In this study, the samples that had intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies on pathologic examination were PCR positive. This study revealed that PCR is a valuable tool for identification of an avian pox virus and that the frequency of pox infection in backyard poultry in western areas of Iran is high.

Clinicopathological findings of canine seborrhoeic keratosis with comparison to pigmented viral plaques.

BACKGROUND: Seborrhoeic keratoses (SKs) are common benign epidermal neoplasms in humans and are rarely diagnosed in the dog. These circumscribed, raised, variably pigmented plaques arise in middle aged to older humans, with a focal or multicentric distribution; although common, the underlying cause of these lesions is not known. Although less common in the dog, the lesions are similar and have features that overlap with papillomavirus-associated pigmented viral plaques. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Seborrhoeic keratoses in the dog are negative for canine papillomavirus. ANIMALS: Eleven cases of SK from a 12 year period were reviewed. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the histopathological findings and case histories. Complete clinical records following collection of the skin biopsy were available in five of 11 cases. Immunohistochemistry was performed for all cases; PCR analysis was carried out for papillomavirus in six cases. RESULTS: Histologically, SKs had an exophytic to mildly endophytic epidermal proliferation, creating a papillomatous to acanthotic, hyperkeratotic, frequently pigmented plaque. There was an absence of hypergranulosis or viral cytopathic effect; PCRs for canine papillomavirus within the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies were negative. No breed, sex or site predilection was recognized. The mean age at biopsy of the lesions was 8.8 years (range 5-14 years). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Histopathological features and negative papillomavirus status distinguish SK as an important differential diagnosis for pigmented viral plaques in dogs.

Vaccinia viruses isolated from cutaneous disease in horses are highly virulent for rabbits.

Two genotypically distinct Vaccinia viruses (VACV), named P1V and P2V, were isolated from an outbreak of cutaneous disease in horses in Southern Brazil. We herein investigated the susceptibility of rabbits, a proposed animal model, to P1V and P2V infection. Groups of weanling rabbits were inoculated intranasally (IN) with P1V or P2V at low (10(2.5) TCID50), medium (10(4.5)TCID50), or high titer (10(6.5)TCID50). Rabbits inoculated with medium and high titers shed virus in nasal secretions and developed serous to hemorrhagic nasal discharge and severe respiratory distress, followed by progressive apathy and high lethality. Clinical signs appeared around days 3-6 post-inoculation (pi) and lasted up to the day of death or euthanasia (around days 5-10). Virus shedding and clinical signs were less frequent in rabbits inoculated with low virus titers. Viremia was detected in all groups, with different frequencies. Viral DNA was detected in the feces of a few animals inoculated with P1V and P2V, low titer, and with P2V at high titer. Gross necropsy findings and histological examination showed diffuse interstitial fibrousing pneumonia with necrosuppurative bronchopneumonia and intestinal liquid content. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in all inoculated animals surviving beyond day 9 pi. These results show that rabbits are highly susceptible to VACV isolated from horses, and develop severe respiratory and systemic disease upon IN inoculation. Thus, rabbits may be used to study selected aspects of VACV infection and disease.

Molecular diagnosis of a laboratory mouse papillomavirus (MusPV).

MusPV, a novel papillomavirus (PV) that naturally infects laboratory mice, was isolated and characterized from a colony of NMRI-Foxn1(nu)/Foxn1(nu) (nude) mice in India. Because MusPV may have been missed during routine pathogen screening of mice in colonies worldwide, a variety of detection methods are described to detect MusPV. The clinical and histologic lesions of productive MusPV infections fit PV-associated features, including papillomas, koilocytes within the stratum granulosum of the hyperplastic/acanthotic papillomatous epithelium, and the presence of intranuclear virus particles in koilocytotic cells visualized by electron microscopy. Antiserum against disrupted PV virions, isolated from another species (canine), identified conserved viral antigens in productively infected cells by immunohistochemistry. A rolling circle technique was used to amplify viral circular DNAs followed by endonuclease restriction enzyme digestion to determine the correct size of PV DNA. Consensus PV degenerative primers, My09/11, commonly used to detect many different types of PVs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), particularly mucosotropic HPVs, also identified MusPV and all rodent PVs tested. Since there was one nucleotide mismatch between the My09/11 primer set and the MusPV template, a new primer set, MusPV-My09/11, was designed to specifically detect MusPV in latent infections and spontaneous MusPV-induced papillomas. Southern blot analysis verified the presence of full size PV DNA in infected tissues. Virus-like particles (VLPs), generated from MusPV L1 genes, provided a substrate for serological testing of naturally and experimentally infected mice. In summary, a series of diagnostic assays were developed and validated to detect MusPV infection in skin tumors and serological response in laboratory mice.

The Munich outbreak of cutaneous cowpox infection: transmission by infected pet rats.

Cowpox virus infection of humans is an uncommon, potentially fatal, skin disease. It is largely confined to Europe, but is not found in Eire, or in the USA, Australasia, or the Middle or Far East. Patients having contact with infected cows, cats, or small rodents sporadically contract the disease from these animals. We report here clinical aspects of 8 patients from the Munich area who had purchased infected pet rats from a local supplier. Pet rats are a novel potential source of local outbreaks. The morphologically distinctive skin lesions are mostly restricted to the patients' necks, reflecting the infected animals' contact pattern. Individual lesions vaguely resemble orf or Milker's nodule, but show marked surrounding erythema, firm induration and local adenopathy. Older lesions develop eschar, leaving slow-healing, deep ulcerative defects after eschar separation. Severe flu-like illness may be present in the acute phase. Smallpox-vaccinated patients tend to develop less severe reactions and heal more quickly. The differential diagnosis may include other localized orthopoxvirus infections, herpes simplex, bacterial infection, anthrax, foreign body granuloma, and primary tuberculosis. Dermatologists should be aware of the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for handling this disease.

Herpesvirus dermatitis in two cats without facial lesions.

BACKGROUND: Cats with feline herpesvirus (FeHV-1)-associated dermatitis typically present with ulcerative lesions on the rostral muzzle and nasal planum. This report describes FeHV-1 dermatitis in the flank region, in the absence of facial lesions. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Clinicians should be aware of this unusual manifestation of FeHV-1 dermatitis to prevent potential misdiagnosis. ANIMALS: A 12-year-old male castrated Bengal cat and a 3-year-old male castrated Siamese cat with plaques and ulcers in the flank region are described. METHODS: Formalin-fixed biopsy samples were obtained from lesional skin. Histopathology and FeHV-1 immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS: Each sample had epidermal and follicular necrosis with a dense dermal infiltrate of eosinophils. Few to moderate numbers of intranuclear inclusion bodies were present in keratinocytes. The presence of FeHV-1 in the lesions was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Feline herpesvirus-associated dermatitis should not be ruled out based on the location of the lesion, because a correct diagnosis is imperative for proper treatment. Future studies to assess the cause of lesions at this unusual site are warranted.