Papillomavirus DNA associated with pulmonary fibromatosis in European elks

Abstract

Multiple beadlike fibromas have been observed in the lungs of European elks bearing cutaneous fibromas and fibropapillomas. DNA extracted from the lung fibromas was found to contain multiple copies of unintegrated European elk papillomavirus DNA, indicating an association between pulmonary fibromatosis and papillomavirus. No virus particles were observed in the tumor tissue by electron microscopy. Histological examination revealed that the lung fibromas had a morphology similar to that of cutaneous fibromas.