Evidence of an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus in domestic dogs

In humans, chronic infection with the gammaherpesvirus Epstein–Barr virus is usually asymptomatic; however some infected individuals develop hematological and epithelial malignancies. The exact role of EBV in lymphomagenesis is poorly understood partly because of the lack of clinically relevant animal models. Here we report the detection of serological responses against EBV capsid antigens in healthy dogs and dogs with spontaneous lymphoma and that dogs with the highest antibody titers have B cell lymphoma. Moreover, we demonstrate the presence of EBV-like viral DNA and RNA sequences and Latent Membrane Protein-1 in malignant lymph nodes of dogs with lymphoma. Finally, electron microscopy of canine malignant B cells revealed the presence of classic herpesvirus particles. These findings suggest that dogs can be naturally infected with an EBV-like gammaherpesvirus that may contribute to lymphomagenesis and that dogs might represent a spontaneous model to investigate environmental and genetic factors that influence gammaherpesvirus-associated lymphomagenesis in humans.

► Animal models of spontaneous GHV-associated lymphomagenesis are needed.
► Dogs with high antibody titers against EBV antigens have spontaneous lymphoma.
► EBV-nucleotide sequences and LMP-1 are present in malignant canine lymph nodes.
► EM shows herpesvirus particles in malignant canine lymph nodes.
► Pet dogs may serve as a good spontaneous model for EBV-associated lymphomagenesis.