Molluscum Contagiosum Virus
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Introduction: Molluscum contagiosum is a mild, self-limiting epidermal infection caused by a poxvirus. It is seen worldwide and is particularly common in children under 10 yrs. of age in certain tropical countries.
Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) belongs to the Molluscipox genus in Poxviridae family. It is an enveloped, linear, double-stranded DNA virus. Poxviruses are some of the largest DNA viruses. MCV is oval or brick-shaped and measures 330 x 230 nm. It has a complex structure with neither icosahedral nor helical symmetry. There are 4 subtypes of MCV (MCV-1 to MCV-4). MCV-1 is most common (>90% of cases). Its genome is 190kb which codes for 182 genes. At least two-thirds of these genes resemble those of smallpox and cowpox viruses.
The image shown here is a negatively stained transmission electron micrograph of molluscum contagiosum viruses from the vesicle fluid of an infected human. The viruses were not purified or concentrated. Image source: Graham Beards; used under CC BY-SA 3.0
Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) belongs to the Molluscipox genus in Poxviridae family. It is an enveloped, linear, double-stranded DNA virus. Poxviruses are some of the largest DNA viruses. MCV is oval or brick-shaped and measures 330 x 230 nm. It has a complex structure with neither icosahedral nor helical symmetry. There are 4 subtypes of MCV (MCV-1 to MCV-4). MCV-1 is most common (>90% of cases). Its genome is 190kb which codes for 182 genes. At least two-thirds of these genes resemble those of smallpox and cowpox viruses.
The image shown here is a negatively stained transmission electron micrograph of molluscum contagiosum viruses from the vesicle fluid of an infected human. The viruses were not purified or concentrated. Image source: Graham Beards; used under CC BY-SA 3.0