Cottontail rabbit papilloma virus infection in a desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) from Colorado, USA

Abstract

A wild-caught desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii) from Colorado was observed to have large, pedunculated, dark cutaneous lesions on its abdomen and cylindrical masses on its mouth. Morphologically, the masses were consistent with previous reports of virally induced papillomas. Subsequent DNA analysis indicated widespread infection with cottontail rabbit papillomavirus. © Wildlife Disease Association 2013.