Lack of host cellular immune response in eruptive molluscum contagiosum.
A lack of cellular immunity on the part of the host has been incriminated as the cause of the persistence of the cutaneous lesions of molluscum contagiosum. We present a patient in the eruptive phase of the disease, confirming the absence of T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell subsets in the base of these typical lesions, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. We also report the observation of lipid material ultrastructurally (confirmed by osmium staining on fresh-frozen tissue), as well as cross-reactivity immunocytochemically of the antigens on these molluscum bodies with antigens normally present on macrophages, as defined by DAKO-macrophage monoclonal antibodies. We have considered the possible role of these findings in the lack of host cellular responsiveness in the eruptive phase of the disease.
Heng
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, UCLA San Fernando Valley Internal Medicine Program.
Steuer
M E
ME
Levy
A
A
McMahon
S
S
Richman
M
M
Allen
S G
SG
Blackhart
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000473:pathology*; D009992:Osmium; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D008055:Lipids; D009992:Osmium; D007633:Keratins