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Histopathological features of molluscum contagiosum other than molluscum bodies
Author(s) -
Ishikawa Martin K,
Arps David P,
Chow Conroy,
Hocker Thomas L,
Fullen Douglas R
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12716
Subject(s) - epidermis (zoology) , pathology , vacuolization , haematoxylin , molluscum contagiosum , stroma , morphea , immunohistochemistry , biopsy , dermis , nucleolus , cytoplasm , biology , medicine , anatomy , dermatology , biochemistry
Aims Classic histopathological features of molluscum contagiosum ( MC ) include a crateriform, acanthotic epidermis containing intracytoplasmic molluscum bodies ( MB s). In our experience, a subset of cases lack these features on initial haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections. We aimed to describe the histopathological features of MC other than those classically described. Methods and results Sixty‐seven biopsies diagnosed as MC from January 2011 to October 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Keratinocytes peripheral to the diagnostic cells with MB s had prominent nucleoli (67; 100%), amphophilic cytoplasm (54; 81%), and in many instances clear cytoplasmic vacuolization (38; 57%). Stroma surrounding MC lesions showed fibroedematous to fibromyxoid changes in many cases (36; 54%), with a subset (13; 19%) showing abundant dermal mucin. In eight of 67 cases (12%), initial sections did not possess MB s or crateriform epidermis of MC . In these cases, initial sections revealed only the epithelial and/or perilesional stromal changes described above. Additional sections contained MB s in all of these cases. Conclusions Perilesional fibroedematous to fibromyxoid stroma and keratinocyte changes, including prominent nucleoli and amphophilic cytoplasm with clear vacuolization, are common in MC . Recognizing these features may prove helpful in reaching the diagnosis of MC in cases lacking classic histopathological features on initial sections.