Molluscum Contagiosum Virus

As a premier platform with extensive expertise in the biological sciences, Creative Biolabs offers reliable viral products and cutting-edge technologies and platforms for anti-virus drug discovery. As the monkeypox virus is spreading, viruses that are similar to the monkeypox virus may infect humans, such as the infectious molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). In preventing the propagation of viruses, the infectious virus lifecycle and the characteristics of the virus must be identified. The comprehensive services offered by Creative Biolabs facilitate the process of MCV research from mechanistic to clinical translational studies.

Background of Molluscum Contagiosum Virus

Currently, the monkeypox virus is widely spreading worldwide, and so are the viruses belonging to the family of Poxviridae. Molluscum contagiosum virus is a DNA virus belonging to the genus of Molluscipoxvirus, that replicates in the cytoplasm. The MCV infection has been found worldwide but is more common in developing countries. The MCV spreads through direct physical contact with the lesions or through communal contaminated fomites. Recovery from the MCV infection does not prevent future infections. The human infection of the MCV is characterized by benign, mild skin, and raised lesions, usually white or pink with a dimple in the center. The lesions may appear anywhere on the body, that become red, itchy, sore, swollen, and secondary bacterial infection in severer cases. People with weakened immune systems, people with atopic dermatitis, and people with poor living conditions are at higher risk of getting MCV infectious.

Fig. 1 3-year-old patient with multiple molluscum contagiosum lesions on right arm. (Chen, 2013)

Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum Virus Infection

The clinical symptoms of MCV are normally mild and disappear over time without treatment within 6 to 12 months. However, some site-specific lesion-specific and population-specific treatments are necessary. Current therapies for MCV infections are as follows. A wide range of drug discovery solutions offered by Creative Biolabs may help you in the development of further effective therapeutics treating MCV infections.

• Physical removal of lesions with cryotherapy, curettage, or laser therapy.
• Oral therapy with cimetidine for children.
• Topical therapy with podophyllotoxin cream (0.5%), potassium hydroxide, T cell modifier imiquimod, iodine and salicylic acid, cantharidin, or tretinoin.
• Therapies targeted at enhancing the immune system are effective therapies for MCV infection in an immunocompromised population.

Molluscum Contagiosum Virus Services at Creative Biolabs

With several years of professional experience, Creative Biolabs is devoted to providing a holistic array of services related to the molluscum contagiosum virus. We offer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) related products for MCV detection, as well as recombinant proteins and peptides, antibodies, cell lines, and other viral products. We also provide anti-MCV agent development solutions that target the entrance, replication, proteolytic processing, and particle egress steps of the MCV. We provide cutting-edge technology, in vitro and in vivo platforms, and efficient anti-MCV agent discovery approaches. Please contact us if you're interested in learning more about our molluscum contagiosum virus services.

Reference

1. Chen, X.; et al. Molluscum contagiosum virus infection. The lancet infectious diseases. 2013, 13(10): 877-888.