[New subtype of molluscipoxvirus detected]

Abstract

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the epidermis characterized by skin-colored papules or nodules frequently with a central depression. Atypical variants may occur, primarily in immunosuppressed individuals. We here report a case of »giant Molluscum contagiosum« in an immunocompetent child. The patient was presented with a fairly smooth nodule of 2 cm in diameter on the ring finger. Molluscipoxvirus-like virus particles were detected by electron microscopy from the nodule, but since the clinical picture was not compatible with MC, next generation sequencing was performed in order to verify the diagnosis. Of the total number of obtained sequences, 25% belonged to molluscipoxvirus (MCV) and de novo assembly revealed three contigs corresponding to 95% of the MCV genome. The assembled genome was compared to previously published sequences of the »major envelope protein« used for genotyping of MCV genus. Several unique single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, which led us to classify this virus as a new subtype of MCV.