Characterization of Papillomaviruses in Multiple Samples from an African Lion (Panthera leo)

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are small, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect epithelial tissues and are capable of causing a range of conditions from benign growths to malignancies (cancers). While human papillomaviruses are extensively studied, papillomavirus infections in wild felids remain poorly understood. This study investigates papillomavirus presence, diversity, and tissue distribution in a single African lion (Panthera leo), sampled longitudinally across multiple anatomical sites. Samples were collected from the Okavango Delta, Northern Botswana, swamp region between 1999 and 2006 during a feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) study. Thirteen samples representing seven anatomical regions were analyzed using PCR targeting the L1 gene, followed by gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing. Sequences were compared to reference databases for viral typing. Results reveal both single-type and mixed papillomavirus infections within the same host. “Type 4” papillomavirus was consistently identified, while mixed infections involving Type 1 and potentially other types were also observed. Variation across tissues and time points supports the presence of tissue tropism and dynamic infection patterns. Some negative results may reflect insufficient DNA extraction, suggesting methodological limitations. These findings demonstrate that a single host can have multiple papillomavirus types across tissues and over time, contributing to the understanding of viral diversity and infection dynamics in non-domestic felids.