Anogenital papillomatosis associated with a novel papillomavirus in a grey-headed flying fox.

Abstract

A 0.5-cm nodular thickening of the vagina was observed in a flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) that had been rescued after becoming entangled in fruit netting. Over the following 6 mo, the thickening progressed to diffuse multinodular mucosal thickening of both the vagina and anus. The proliferative lesions were removed surgically. Histologically, the thickened mucosa was arranged in numerous small exophytic papillomas. Cells within the basilar layers were crowded and basophilic. Rarely, enlarged cells that contained increased quantities of pale, smudged eosinophilic cytoplasm [consistent with papillomavirus (PV)-induced cellular changes] were visible. PCR amplified a PV DNA sequence from a sample of affected vaginal mucosa; the sequence was ~90% similar to a PV DNA sequence previously detected as a subclinical infection in an African species of fruit bat. The lesion had not recurred within 6 mo of surgical excision. This is the second report of PV-associated disease in bats; to our knowledge, PV infection has not been reported previously in association with anogenital lesions in bats. Additionally, to our knowledge, a PV has not been identified previously in an Australian bat species.