Molluscum Contagiosum

Question 1

Define molluscum contagiosum

Answer 1

A common skin infection caused by a pox virus that affects children and adults. Transmission is usually by direct skin contact

Question 2

What are the causes/risk factors of molluscum contagiosum

Answer 2

Viral skin infection caused by molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). It is a type of pox virus:
• MCV 1 and 1v are seen in children as the result of child-to-child contact or fomites
• MCV 2 is a sexually transmitted virus noted in the groin in adults and generalised in immunocompromised people
• MCV 3 is a rare subtype in any age group

Risk Factors:
• mainly in children
• immunocompromsied
• atopic eczema

Question 3

What are the symptoms of molluscum contagiosum?

Answer 3

• Incubation period: 2-8 weeks
• Usually asymptomatic
• There may be tenderness, pruritus and eczema around the lesion
• Lesions last for around 8 months

Question 4

What are the signs of molluscum contagiosum?

Answer 4

• Firm, smooth, umbilicated papules.
• Usually 2-5 mm in diameter .
• In children - tends to occur on the trunk and the extremities
• In adults - tends to occur on the lower abdomen, genital area and inner thighs (suggesting sexual contact)

Question 5

What investigations are carried out for molluscum contagiosum?

Answer 5

Molluscum Contagiosum is usually a clinical diagnosis.

• Curettage Biopsy: Rarely required. May be needed in children to distinguish genital condyloma. May be used to confirm diagnosis.
• Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Staining will show pathognomic Henderson-Patterson bodies.