Shope Papilloma is a virus that causes skin tumors in rabbits. The correct spelling of this word is /ʃoʊp pəˈpɪləmə/. The first part, "Shope," is pronounced with a long "o" sound (/oʊ/) and an "sh" sound (/ʃ/). The second part, "Papilloma," has the stress on the second syllable (/pəˈpɪləmə/) and is pronounced with the "p" sound followed by a short "a" sound (/pæ/) and then an "ih" sound (/ɪ/) twice. This spelling and phonetic transcription will help ensure accurate pronunciation of the word in scientific and medical contexts.
Shope Papilloma, also known as Shope's fibroma, is a type of benign tumor that affects rabbits. It is caused by the rabbit fibroma virus (also called Shope papillomavirus) and primarily affects the skin and connective tissues of rabbits. The condition was first discovered and extensively studied by the American scientist Richard E. Shope in the early 20th century.
Shope Papilloma typically appears as a solitary mass or multiple growths on the skin of rabbits. These growths may have a rough, wart-like appearance and can vary in size from small nodules to larger tumors. While they are generally harmless and non-painful, they can sometimes become ulcerated or infected, leading to discomfort or complications.
The virus responsible for Shope Papilloma is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or through bites from insects such as fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes. It is more commonly found in wild rabbits, though domestic rabbits are also susceptible to the virus. The tumor growths usually appear within a few weeks of infection and can persist for several months before naturally regressing.
Although there is no specific treatment for Shope Papilloma, surgical removal of the tumors can be considered in severe or problematic cases. Preventive measures such as avoiding contact with infected rabbits or controlling insect vectors can help reduce the risk of transmission. Additionally, vaccines against the virus have been developed for use in domestic rabbits to prevent the occurrence of the disease.
The term "Shope papilloma" is named after the American virologist Richard E. Shope. In the early 1900s, Shope conducted research on the contagious tumors discovered in rabbits, specifically cottontails, in the United States. Shope identified a novel virus as the cause of these tumors, which became known as the Shope papilloma virus. The name stuck and has since been used to describe the condition.