Molluscum Contagiosum

Yazid 17576

Molluscum Contagiosum

• A self limited cutaneous infection caused by a large DNA poxvirus that affects both children and adults.

• DNA poxvirus, the largest virus known (200 X 300 X 100 nm), causes molluscum contagiosum (4 subtypes).

• Can be transmitted by direct skin contact, autoinoculation and vertical transmission.

• The virus replicates in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells producing cytoplasmic inclusions, and it may cause enlargement of infected cells.

History

• Molluscum contagiosum appears to have a bimodal age distribution.– Childhood, (nonsexual skin contact). – Early adulthood (age 15-29 y), (sexually

transmitted disease).• Most patients are asymptomatic; • some complains of pruritus, tenderness, and

pain

History

• The incubation is 14-50 days.• If patients have eczema or other diseases

altering skin barrier function, molluscum may spread more rapidly in affected areas.

Signs

• Skin - Primary lesion of molluscum contagiosum– Firm, smooth, umbilicated papules, usually 2-6 mm in

diameter (range 1-15 mm), may be present in groups or may be widely disseminated on the skin and mucosal surfaces.

– The lesions can be flesh-colored, white, translucent, or even yellow in color.

– The number of lesions varies from 1-20 up to hundreds in some reports.

– Some lesions become confluent to form a plaque.– Lesions generally are self-limited but can persist for several

years.

Signs

Smooth, multiple, Umbilicated papules

Signs

Molluscum contagiosum may arise in areas that have been injured, often because they've been scratched. The papules form a row; this is known as koebnerised molluscum.

Signs

Molluscum contagiosum withEczema and crusted lesions

Signs

The lesions can be flesh-colored, white, translucent, or even yellow in color.Some lesions become confluent to form a plaque.

Signs

• Skin - Distribution of molluscum contagiosum– In children, papules are located mainly on the trunk

and extremities.– In adults, lesions often are located on the lower

abdominal wall, inner thighs, pubic area, and genitalia.– Although rarely found in the mouth or on the palms

and soles, cases of molluscum contagiosum involving the oral mucosa, including the lips, buccal mucosa, hard palate, retromolar pad, and tongue, have been reported.

Signs

Signs

• Immunocompromised conditions– multiple widespread, persistent, and disfiguring

lesions can occur, especially on the face and possibly involving the neck and trunk.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Flat warts (HPV infection)• Large Solitary Molluscum

Keratoacanthoma: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, epidermal inclusion cyst.

• Multiple Facial Mollusca in HIV-Infected Individual: Disseminated invasive fungal infection, i.e., cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, penicillinosis.

LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

• Microscopic examination Giemsa-stained central semisolid core reveals “molluscum bodies” (inclusion bodies).

Treatment1. Topical patient-directed therapy-

5% imiquimod cream applied at bedtime 3–5 times per week for up to 1–3 months.

2. Clinician-directed therapy -A) Curettage - small mollusca can be removed with a small curette

with little discomfort or pain.

B) Cryosurgery Freezing - lesions for 10–15 s is effective and minimally painful

C) Electrodesiccation - For mollusca refractory to cryosurgery, especially in HIV-infected individuals with numerous and/or large lesions

Complications & Prognosis

• Complications of molluscum contagiosum include irritation, inflammation, and secondary infections.

• Lesions on eyelids may be associated with follicular or papillary conjunctivitis.

• Molluscum contagiosum is a benign, self-limited disease.• Treatments for molluscum contagiosum are effective if

patients are compliant.• Additional duration of therapy may be required in

immunocompromised patients.• Overall, molluscum contagiosum prognosis is excellent.