Novel Polyomavirus associated with Brain Tumors in Free-Ranging Raccoons, Western United States

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Comments by Dr. Murray Gardner:

This is a fascinating story unfolding now at UCD Veterinary School under the leadership of our own Patty Pesevento. It reports and outbreak of naturally occurring brain tumors in feral raccoons in found among 52 raccoon necropsies over the last two years. The tumors are large, rapidly growing peripheral nerve sheath tumors or gliomas arising in the frontal lobes and involving olfactory nerve tracts.
 
A novel Polyomavirus is detected in the tumor tissues of all affected animals but not in any unaffected animals. The virus genome is most similar to that of the Polyomavirus associated with Merkel cell carcinoma in humans. Polyomavirus large T antigen was detected by IHC in some tumor cells. DNA analysis showed episomal viral genomes in the tumors and may well yet show integrated viral DNA.
 
This new animal model promises to be very interesting and useful for gathering more insight into Host-Viral-Environmental interactions in Polyomavirus oncogenesis in nature.

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