Identification and Characterization of Fringilla coelebs Papillomavirus 1 (FcPV1) in Free-living and Captive Birds in Italy

Abstract A papillomavirus (PV) was identified by negative-staining electron microscopy in skin lesions of two bird species (Fringillidae) in Italy. Genetic analyses revealed an FcPV1 with a low genetic variability in the E6, E7, E1, E2, and L1 genes and the long control region when compared to the FcPV1 reference strain.