Papillomavirus Infection in chameleons
Papillomavirus infections are caused by papillomaviruses, leading to the development of benign tumors known as papillomas, or warts.
In Humans, HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and is associated with genital warts and various cancers (cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal). Symptoms may include warts in the genital area or throat, which appear as raised, rough lesions.
In Animals. e.g. dogs, the Canine papillomavirus causes oral and cutaneous papillomas, often seen in young dogs. Symptoms include visible warts in the mouth or on the skin, which are usually soft and cauliflower-like in appearance.
In Reptiles, Reptilian papillomaviruses can cause skin tumors, particularly in lizards. Symptoms include wart-like growths on the skin, which can affect mobility , seeing and feeding, dependent from location. Same in Chameleons, where papillomas develop primarily as warts on skin or more rarely as swellings and lessions in the oral cavity. Except for the building of cauliflower-like growing warts-tumors, there are no obvious symptoms to be observed, in developed disease, unspecific weakness, sleepiness lost of appetite and weight can be encountered.
In all cases, papillomas are usually benign, but persistent infections can lead to complications or secondary infections.
TREATMENT
There is no real treatment of papilloma infections because the virus Integrated into the cell and DNA structure of the host. All the treatment approaches are actually limited to mechanical removal of the warts and affected parts of the skin or other organs, including physical surgery, laser surgery, cryo-surgery, and chemical treatment.
The infection is such is usually not lethal, and in many cases, it cures spontaneously, leaving the organism immune for certatain period of time. So in mammals, not in chameleons, where once encountered, the disease slowly develops, the warts-tumors grow, and appear usually on other parts of the body. Therefore, just supporting the immune system with healthy lifestyle, food supplementation, and medication, supporting immune system is usually advised.
PREVENTION
To build a healthy immune system, it is essential to focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, physical exercise, good sleep.
HYGIENE
It is imperative to maintain good hygiene practices, as a simple touch can be contagious to oter chameleons, other reptiles and potentially also to humans. The ill chameleons should me manipulated minimally and treated with gloves and under strict hygienic measures only.
VACCINATION
In humans, vaccination against HPV can also effectively reduce the risk of developing HPV-related health conditions. There is a vaccine available for dogs for treating the canine oral papilomatosis but it not available for any other animal including reptiles, incl. chameleons.
The human and canine vaccines for HPV work by stimulating the immune system to produce a protective response against specific types of human and canine papillomaviruses.
The human HPV vaccines (e.g., Gardasil and Cervarix) contain non-infectious virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic the outer shell of the HPV virus but do not contain viral DNA. This allows the immune system to recognize and respond to these particles without causing an actual infection. Upon vaccination, the body generates antibodies against the HPV types included in the vaccine, which helps provide protection against infections that can lead to cancers (such as cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers) and genital warts. The vaccine is typically administered as an intramuscular injection. The vaccination series usually consists of two or three doses, depending on the age at which vaccination starts. For younger individuals (ages 9-14), two doses are generally sufficient, while those older than 15 require three doses. The second dose is usually given 1-2 months after the first, and the third dose is administered 6 months after the first dose. The Canine Papillomavirus Vaccine works analogically and are administered as an injection, usually subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
ATTENTION / CAUTION
Recently, an alarming maladvice was presented in the social media, and it is necessary to eradicate it before it is parroted further:
citation 1: citation 2:
"Admin Top contributor "It's basically like a vaccine.
If the growth falls off, crush it and then feed it to her!" You feed the papilloma back to the Cham and it helps build immunity"
Eating papilloma builds is not advisable and does not build immunity!
Papillomas are benign tumors! The virus itself can potentially lead to health issues, including certain types of cancer, but consuming papillomas does not confer any health benefits or immunity against it or any other related viruses. Consuming the warts is inefficient as they will be either digested in full or it can just transport the highly contagious virus to oral cavity or to internal organs. It can also be contaminated by fungi, bacteria and their toxins. Taking into account, that the animal is by definition already weakened because of the infection and wart-tumor builds, it is an additional stress and infection potential for the already not fit animal. Moreover, the vaccination available for humans and dogs it's not administered orally, but is an injection in the muscle or under the skin.
Eating papilloma warts, whether in humans or animals, poses significant health risks and is highly discouraged. Here are some of the potential risks:
Infection Risk: Papillomas may be caused by papillomavirues) which can potentially lead to the transmission of infectious agents.
Cancer Risk: In humans, consuming tissue from warts or lesions or
even touching the may increase exposure to HPV or other pathogens, potentially heightening the risk of developing related cancers.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Eating abnormal growths can result in gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea, vomiting, or obstruction, especially if the warts are large or dense.
Immune Response: Consumption of foreign tissue could provoke an adverse immune response, including allergic reactions or inflammation.
Zoonotic Disease: If handling animal papillomas, there's a risk of zoonotic transmission — diseases that can be passed from animals to humans — which can result in unexpected health complications.
For these reasons, it is crucial to seek medical advice and avoid ot only consuming papillomas by the animal but even any contact with the warts and best whole infected organisms, which should be separated in cleaned environment (the former one is to be sterilized and parts of it disposed, burnt or otherwise safely eliminated), isolated and treated with gloves and under strict hygienic measures only.
Always consult a competent healthcare professional or veterinarian for appropriate treatment options.
Do not listen to maladvice of charlatans.