Specimens from a vesicular lesion caused by molluscum contagiosum virus produced a cytopathic effect in cell culture that mimicked that produced by herpes simplex virus.
Infection with molluscum contagiosum virus, a poxvirus, normally has a typical clinical presentation; therefore, laboratory confirmation is infrequently sought and the virus is rarely isolated in culture. As reported herein, viral culture of specimens from atypical lesions may produce an abortive infection in limited cell lines and a cytopathic effect suggestive of herpes simplex virus.
Bell
Constance A
CA
Department of Pathology and Area Laboratory Services, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. constance.bell@us.army.mil
Eberly
Allison P
AP
Takata
Geraldine
G
Combs
Raelene K
RK
Deweese
Nathan E
NE
Whelen
A Christian
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D005260:Female; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000821:virology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex; D006801:Humans; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000821:virology; D008977:Molluscum contagiosum virus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000382:microbiology