Skin, Molluscum contagiosum [LMP19511]

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Diagnostic Modality: 
Whole Slide Image
Disease Category: 
Infectious Diseases
Diagnosis: 
Molluscum contagiosum
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Skin
Gender: 
Male
Age: 
15 years
Diagnosis Code: 
ICD-10: B08.1
Slide Contributor Information
Card, S., Somers, G.

Keywords

skin, infection, poxvirus, inclusions

Clinical History

15-year-old male with 9-month history of an eyebrow lesion with occasional bleeding and irritation. Lesion measures 2 mm in greatest dimension.

Clinical Discussion

Molluscum contagiosum is a poxvirus infection affecting skin and mucous membranes. The infection produces small pearly papules with central umbilication and can persist for months to a few years. The rash is spread by direct person-to-person physical contact and through contaminated fomites. An infected person can spread it to other parts of the body through scratching (autoinoculation). Histology shows a lobular endophytic growth of hyperplastic squamous epithelium. Keratinocytes contain large molluscum bodies (eosinophilic to basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions) containing viral particles. The inclusions progressively enlarge toward the surface where they occupy almost the entire infected cell. Secondary infection and ulceration can occur.