Cutaneous Papillomaviruses in Cervids: Unveiling a Silent Threat to Wildlife Health

Cutaneous papillomaviruses (PVs) are host-specific DNA viruses that cause papillomas in many wild cervids, including red deer, moose, roe deer, white-tailed deer, and reindeer. Species-specific PVs such as CePV1 and AaPV1 typically induce rough, verrucous skin and mucosal lesions that, while usually benign, can impair feeding, movement, vision, or mating. A high prevalence—especially in young or immunocompromised animals—may affect population health. Transmission occurs through contact, skin microtrauma, or possibly ectoparasites. PV lesions can resemble more serious diseases, complicating diagnostics. Understanding PV diversity and ecology is important for wildlife health monitoring, conservation planning, and assessing cross-species transmission risks.