Molluscum Contagiosum
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Basics
Description
- Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a generally benign human disease characterized by multiple small, painless, pearly lesions
- Resolution is usually spontaneous in healthy patients in 6–9 mo
- MC appears on epithelial surface and spreads through close contact or autoinoculation
- Confined to the skin and mucous membranes
- 5–20% of patients with HIV have coinfection with MC
- The extent of molluscum infection correlates inversely with the CD4+ T-cell count
- Found worldwide with an incidence of 2–8%, with higher distribution in tropical areas
Etiology
- MC is caused by a double-stranded DNA poxvirus of the Molluscipox genus
- Transmission in children is by direct skin-to-skin contact, fomites, or pool or bath water
- Usually enters through a small break in the skin
- Transmission in adults is most often by sexual contact; autoinoculation is common at any age
- There are rare reports of transmission to infants during childbirth
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Basics
Description
- Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a generally benign human disease characterized by multiple small, painless, pearly lesions
- Resolution is usually spontaneous in healthy patients in 6–9 mo
- MC appears on epithelial surface and spreads through close contact or autoinoculation
- Confined to the skin and mucous membranes
- 5–20% of patients with HIV have coinfection with MC
- The extent of molluscum infection correlates inversely with the CD4+ T-cell count
- Found worldwide with an incidence of 2–8%, with higher distribution in tropical areas
Etiology
- MC is caused by a double-stranded DNA poxvirus of the Molluscipox genus
- Transmission in children is by direct skin-to-skin contact, fomites, or pool or bath water
- Usually enters through a small break in the skin
- Transmission in adults is most often by sexual contact; autoinoculation is common at any age
- There are rare reports of transmission to infants during childbirth
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