Molluscum contagiosum. Light micrograph of a section through human skin with the viral disease molluscum contagiosum. Two viral inclusion bodies are seen at centre right and centre left. These contain are virus-infected cells enclosed by a thickened epidermis. The infection causes nodules on the skin's surface. The virus is spread via skin-to-skin contact and used to be most common in children. However, it is increasingly becoming a sexually transmitted disease. The disease often clears up on its own, although the nodules may be removed, either surgically or with chemicals, to prevent spread. Magnification: x140 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.