Molluscum Contangiosum Diagnosis, Manifestation andManagement: A review Article

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious skin disease with clinical manifestations of benign papules, which is often caused as a sexually transmitted disease in adults, caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, a member of the poxvirus. Manifestations of the disease are asymptomatic, discrete, smooth papules. It usually develops from peduncled lesions up to 5 mm in diameter. The incubation period for Molluscum contagiosum is from one to several weeks to 6 months. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that can heal spontaneously. There are 4 main subtypes of Molluscum Contagiosum 4 Virus (MCV), namely MCV I, MCV II, MCV III and MCV IV. These four subtypes cause similar clinical symptoms in the form of papular miliary lesions that are limited to the skin and mucous membranes. MCV I is known to have a greater prevalence than the other three subtypes. About 96.6% of molluscum contagiosum infections are caused by MCV I. However, in patients with decreased immune status, the prevalence of MCV II is 60%.

Discussion: The diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum in most cases can be established through history taking and clinical examination. Histopathological examination via biopsy can be helpful in some cases with atypical symptoms. Lesions caused by MCV are usually white, pink, or flesh-colored, umbilicated, raised papules (1–5 mm in diameter) or nodules (6–10 mm in diameter). Molluscum contagiosum lesions can appear as multiple or single lesions. Although the patient is usually asymptomatic, there may be eczema around the lesion and the patient may complain of itching or pain. Molluscum contagiosum lesions in HIV patients do not heal quickly, and easily spread to other locations (such as the face) and usually recur when treated with usual therapy.

Conclusion: Treatment is based on several considerations including patient needs, disease recurrence and the tendency of treatment to leave pigmented lesions or scar tissue. Most molluscum contagiosum treatment is traumatic to the lesion. Some of the treatment options are cryosurgery, curettage, incision and expression of the molluscum body; cantharidin, topical podophyllotoxin cream, salicylic acid preparations, imiquimod and topical cidofovir.