Molluscum contagiosum is caused by which virus family?

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by which virus family?

• A. Herpesviridae
• B. Poxviridae
• C. Papillomaviridae
• D. Adenoviridae

Answer: (B)

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus from the Poxviridae family. These are large, enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm, carrying their own transcription machinery. The infection shows intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in keratinocytes (Henderson-Patterson bodies), a hallmark of poxvirus replication. Clinically, molluscum presents as small, dome-shaped, pearly papules with central umbilication. This differentiates it from herpesviruses (which can cause recurrent mucocutaneous lesions and latency), papillomaviruses (non-enveloped viruses that cause warts), and adenoviruses (non-enveloped viruses causing respiratory/ocular infections). Therefore, the causative family is Poxviridae.

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus from the Poxviridae family. These are large, enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm, carrying their own transcription machinery. The infection shows intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in keratinocytes (Henderson-Patterson bodies), a hallmark of poxvirus replication. Clinically, molluscum presents as small, dome-shaped, pearly papules with central umbilication. This differentiates it from herpesviruses (which can cause recurrent mucocutaneous lesions and latency), papillomaviruses (non-enveloped viruses that cause warts), and adenoviruses (non-enveloped viruses causing respiratory/ocular infections). Therefore, the causative family is Poxviridae.