Molluscum Contagiosum

Over a 3-year period, 30 patients with molluscum contagiosum (MC) were studied. MC is an infectious viral tumor of pox origin affecting both healthy and immunocompromised patients, including individuals with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).' Clinically, it appears as a smooth, shiny papule sometimes showing central umbilication (Fig. 1 )• A white core can be expressed, which on microscopic examination shows numerous, large or globoid bodies called molluscum bodies (MB) (Fig. 2).^ The locations of these viral tumors were on the face, neck, trunk, buttocks, groin, and thighs. Regardless of location, lesions from all 30 patients showed numerous slender hyphae-like structures along with MB when viewed under the microscope on crushed preparations with 15% KOH. Some of them were coiled and showed branching (Fig. 3). Numerous spores-like structures were also identified (Fig. 4). These showed some resemblance to Candida.