Observations on the antibody rsponses in molluscum contagiosum.

A survey of the incidence of molluscum contagiosum virion antigens in patients with single or multiple lesions showed that all lesions contain virus antigen. The virion antigens were detected in the prickle cell, granular and keratin layers. Hyperimmune sera against vaccinia, rabbit-pox and mouse-pox failed to stain the inclusion bodies in molluscum contagiosum lesions. Virus-specific antibodies were present in 69% of the patients. Although virus-specific IgG antibody was predominant, virus-specific IgM and virus-specific IgA were found in a few patients. An IgM staining in the prickle cell, granular and keratin layers of normal skin adjoining the molluscum contagiosum lesion was observed. The virus-specific antibody response was induced in a few patients after the treatment.