Efficacy of Canine Papillomatosis Treatment using Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes)
* School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny – UNESP – Botucatu -SP - Brazil
Canine viral papillomatosis is a benign tumoral disease caused bu papillomavirus and characterized by papillomas in tongue, oral and labial mucosae . Tumors are developed between 1 and 5 months and normally, undergo spontaneous regression 4 to 8 months later. In some cases papillomas persist indefinitely . Several protocols are used , mainly surgical removal that is expensive , and in some cases anti-viral drugs, autogenous wart vaccines with questionable results and immunomodulators can be used .P. acnes are gram positive bacterias, that has been used in human carriers of infectious diseases; treatment of malignant neoplasias and in animals in equine respiratory problems, bovine papillomatosis, canine piodermites , oral melanomas in dogs and feline leukemia. P. acnes is considered a stimulator of NK cells activity through the liberation of IFN and TNF. Stimulation of NK cells and citotoxic T cells by P. acnes induces higher tumoricidal activity allowing neoplasms regression .Considering the problems related to surgery in the therapy of canine papillomatosis, the aim of this work was evaluate P.acnes in canine papillomatosis treatment. Sixteen animals of several ages, sex and breed, attended in the Infectious Disease sector of Veterinary Hospital ( FMVZ- UNESP- Botucatu) were evaluated. Nine (56.2%) were 4-6 month age and 7 (43.8%) were adults, ageing between 1,5 – 15 years. In 6 youngers and 3 adults, papillomas in moderate gravity were verified and in 3 youngs and 3 adults, severe bucal lesions were observed. All animals presented papillomas in oral mucosae and in severe cases papillomas in palate were observed. One dog presented exclusively papillomas in tongue. Isolated paillomas have been observed for the owners months before, and have been progressing . In some cases coalescent lesions were developed.Therapy consisted in 2.0 mg of P.acnes/ week ,through intramuscular route, until papillomas regression was observed. One dose of security after papillomas regression was realized. Animals were accompained by lesions regression and colateral effects . Colateral effects were not observed in any animals treated during the treatment period and several weeks after the end of treatment. Papillomas regression was verified after second P.acnes , evidenced by papillomas necrosis , detachment and fall.Total regression was observed after 5th P.acnes aplication. In olders animals, regression was slower, so the terapeutic protocol was altered to 2.0 mg of P.acnes aplication, by intramuscular route, 3 times a week , resulting in papillomas regression beginning after the 3rd P.acnes aplication, been complete after 6th aplication. P. acnes induced tumoral regression in dogs with viral papillomatosis, and can be used as alternative to surgical treatment been absent of colateral effects .
Paper presented at the International Symposium on Predictive Oncology and Intervention Strategies; Nice, France; February 7 - 10, 2004; in poster session 995 (Immunotherapy).