Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection and Genotyping of Molluscum Contagiosum Virus in Diyala Province

Abstract

Background: Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV): is a viral skin infection which may infect themucous membrane and skinoccasionally, It is caused by Molluscipox virus from family Poxviridae. Molluscum contagiosumvirus (MCV) was first described and later assigned its name by Bateman in the beginning of the nineteenth century. Aim: This study was done to confirm the clinical diagnosis of MCV by laboratory test through using PCR assay andto know the predominate type of MCV that found in Diyala Province. Patients, and methods:The present study was conducted for the period from1 November 2011 to 30 April of 2012 in outpatient clinic of Baquba Teaching Hospital in Baquba city. The study aimed to confirm the clinical diagnosis of MCV by laboratory test through using PCR assay and to know the domain subtype of MCV that found in Diyala province Sixty (60) patients were diagnosed with clinical lesions of MCV on different areas of the body, their age ranged from(1-80 years) including 40(66.7%) males and 20(33.3%) females, and the lesion samples were taken and examined by PCR Results: After testing by PCR, 51(85%) of patients gave positive results for MCV,30(58.8%) patients gave positive results for MCV type 1( 26.7%) and 2 (73.3). The results showed 23(45.1%) with age group (31-40 years), included 36(70.6%) were males and 15(29.4%) females, no significant difference showed between the MCV infection and either the sex or age . The results revealed that MCV type 2 was more prevalent 22(73%) compared with MCV type 1(26.7) ,most of type 2 (73.3) infected males 14(46.5%) , and found in age group (31-40 years),while the MCV type 1 was equally affecting males and females , consisted of (100%) in age ( ≤10 years) ,with significant difference recorded between the types and age, but no significant difference between the types and the sex. Conclusions: 85%of examined patients with MC showed postive PCR results for MCV prevalence of MCV type 1 with high in children of age group (≤10) .MCV type 2 was predominately seen in (31-40) patient age group.