Molluscum Contagiosum was found in 5-Minute Clinical Consult which helps you diagnose, treat, and follow up on over 900 medical conditions seen in everyday practice.
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Basics
Description
- Common, benign, viral (Poxviridae) skin infection
- 1–5 mm, “pearly” white or flesh-colored
- Dome-shaped papules; central umbilication (difficult to see in young children)
- Highly contagious; autoinoculation, skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, shared clothing, towels, bathing water
- Self-limited in immunocompetent
- Difficult to treat/disfiguring in immunocompromised
Epidemiology
Incidence
- Up to 20% children in tropics
- 30% in AIDS patients
- Children 2–15 years
- Sexually active young adults
- 5–18% HIV population
Risk Factors
- Skin-to-skin contact with infected person
- Contact sports
- Sexual activity with infected partner
- Immunocompromised: HIV, chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy, transplant patients
General Prevention
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with host (e.g., contact sports, sexual activity).
- Avoid sharing clothing, towels, bathing water.
Pathophysiology
- Virions invade and replicate in cytoplasm of epithelial cells.
- Cause abnormal cell proliferation
- Genome encodes proteins to evade host immune system.
- Incubation period: 2–6 weeks
- Not associated with malignancy
Etiology
- DNA virus; Poxviridae family
- 4 major types, clinically indistinguishable
- No cross-hybridization or reactivation by other poxviruses
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Atopic dermatitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Immunosuppression: Corticosteroids, chemotherapy
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