Molluscum Contagiosum: Rapid Cytological Diagnosis using Tzanck Smear in a Case with Unusual Presentation

Abstract

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign dermatological condition with a multiple smooth wart like lesion which is caused by double stranded DNA poxvirus named as Molluscum contagiosum virus. Very few case report has been documented cytologically as this lesion is usually diagnosed clinically. Furthermore, use of Tzanck smear for rapid cytological diagnosis has rarely been described. In dermatology, Tzanck smear is mostly performed for rapid diagnosis of Herpes virus infection. Its use however, can be more widely applied, including in the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum especially in case with unusual presentation. In this case the lesion was presented on right forearm as multiple papule, without central umbilication in young immunocompetent male. These are unusual from normal presentation in this age group. Here, we report a case of molluscum contagiosum in a young immunocompetent adult male with its clinical and cytological findings using Tzanck smear. Our purpose was early cytological diagnosis of a clinically unsuspected case of molluscum contagiosum using Tzanck smear cytology

Keywords

• molluscum bodies
• papules
• tzanck smear