Molluscum contagiosum. A case report with fine needle aspiration cytologic diagnosis and ultrastructural features

Cytomorphologic and ultrastructural features of molluscum contagiosum, a rare skin lesion of viral etiology, are presented.

A 4-month-old female was referred for fine needle aspiration cytology of papules over the back and chest wall. A Giemsa-stained preparation of whitish material aspirated from the chest wall nodule showed numerous large, intracytoplasmic, basophilic bodies that pushed the host cell nucleus to the periphery, giving a signet-ring appearance to a few cells. A cytologic diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum was suggested. On electron microscopy numerous intracytoplasmic viral particles were demonstrated, thus confirming the cytologic diagnosis.

In clinically unsuspected cases, the cytologic diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum can be suggested by demonstrating pathognomonic molluscum bodies in aspirated material.