Scanning electron microscopy of molluscum contagiosum*

• Autor(a) principal: Almeida Jr,Hiram Larangeira de
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Abuchaim,Martha Oliveira, Schneide,Maiko Abel, Marques,Leandra, Castro,Luis Antônio Suíta de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Anais brasileiros de dermatologia (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-05962013000100090
• topic: Microscopy, electron, scanning; Molluscum contagiosum; Molluscum contagiosum virus

Molluscum contagiosum is a disease caused by a poxvirus. It is more prevalent in children up to 5 years of age. There is a second peak of incidence in young adults. In order to examine its ultrastructure, three lesions were curetted without disruption, cut transversely with a scalpel, and routinely processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oval structure of molluscum contagiosum could be easily identified. In its core, there was a central umbilication and just below this depression, there was a keratinized tunnel. Under higher magnification, a proliferation similar to the epidermis was seen. Moreover, there were areas of cells disposed like a mosaic. Under higher magnification, rounded structures measuring 0.4 micron could be observed at the end of the keratinized tunnel and on the surface of the lesion.