Three-dimensional ultrastructural study of molluscum contagiosum in the skin using scanning-electron microscopy.

The three-dimensional ultrastructure of molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) in human skin was visualized using scanning-electron microscopy with the osmium-dimethyl sulphoxide-osmium method. There were spherical, ellipsoidal, brick-shaped, miniature and incomplete forms of MCV. In all the forms the surface had densely distributed small protrusions and all had the same ultrastructure. All the forms had one or two long cord-like substances that appeared to be linked together, but became short, vestigial or absent on the surface of the mature virus. The cord-like substances were connected to the core of the MCV. In the matrix between the viruses, the cord-like substances formed an intricate fine network.