The identification of molluscum infection by immunohistochemical means.

Tissue obtained from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks containing molluscum contagiosum virus was used as a source of antigen to generate a polyclonal antibody against molluscum contagiosum virus. This antibody recognized an antigen in molluscum bodies which was preserved during routine fixation and embedding. The antibody can be used with standard immunohistochemical methods to identify molluscum contagiosuminfection in inflamed and distorted tissue specimens. Our data indicate that paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed material can be used as an antigenic source to generate antibodies with diagnostic potential.