Molluscum contagiosum is a common, harmless skin infection caused by a poxvirus that spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact. It presents as small, flesh-colored bumps with a dimpled center that contain a white, curdy core. While generally asymptomatic, the bumps can occasionally itch or cause a skin rash. Diagnosis is made through visual examination of characteristic lesions, and treatment options range from natural resolution to cryotherapy, curettage, laser surgery, or topical medications depending on severity. Left untreated in healthy individuals, molluscum contagiosum will usually clear up on its own within months without scarring.

1. MOLLUSCUM
CONTAGIOSUM
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2. Molluscum contagiosum
It is caused by a DNA poxvirus called the
molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). MCV
has no nonhuman-animal reservoir
(infecting only humans). There are four
types of MCV, MCV-1 to -4; MCV-1 is the
most prevalent and MCV-2 is seen usually
in adults. The virus that causes molluscum
is spread from person to person by
touching the affected skin. The virus may
also be spread by touching a surface with
the virus on it, such as a towel, clothing, or
toys.

3. What is Molluscum
Molluscum is a
common,
harmless skin
growth caused by
a type of virus that
lives on the outer
most layers of the
skin (epidermis).

4. Molloscum contagiosum
Children and young adults are infected
Present with pearly white wart like
Normal sections show large 20 – 30
micron sized Eosinophilic hyaline
inclusion bodies are seen.
Molluscum bodies contain large number
of virus particles in a protein matrix.
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5. Lesions begin as small (3 to 6 mm) papules that are smooth, flesh-colored domes
with a central dimple. Inside the papule is a white, curd-like core that can be
easily expressed.
Lesions can occur anywhere on the skin and mucous membranes, but are usually
grouped in one or two areas. Occasionally, they may be widely disseminated.
Typically fewer than 20 lesions are present, but some individuals may have
hundreds.
The head, eyelids, trunk, and genitalia are most commonly affected, the genitalia
being the predominant site in adults.
The lesions are characteristically asymptomatic, but a few patients may complain
of itching or may develop an eczematous reaction around the lesions.
Molluscum Contagiosum

6. Incubation period
The time from
infection to the
appearance of
lesions ranges
from 1 week to
6 months.

7. Signs and symptoms
Molluscum contagiosum lesions are flesh-colored,
dome-shaped, and pearly in appearance. They are
often 1–5 millimetres in diameter, with a dimpled
center.They are generally not painful, but they may
itch or become irritated. Picking or scratching the
bumps may lead to further infection or scarring. In
about 10% of the cases, eczema develops around
the lesions. They may occasionally be complicated
by secondary bacterial infections.

8. Is it contagious?
Yes. The virus is spread by
skin to skin contact with a
person who has
molluscum or by touching
a lesion on your own body
and transferring the virus
to another location on
your body
(autoinoculation). It is also
possible to get molluscum
by sharing towels or
clothing with other people
who have molluscum.

9. Molloscum contagiosum
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10. Molloscum contagiosum
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11. Molloscum
contagiosum
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12. Molloscum
contagiosum
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13. Molloscum contagiosum
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14. Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made on the clinical appearance;
the virus cannot routinely be cultured. The
diagnosis can be confirmed by excisional
biopsy.
Histologically, molluscum contagiosum is
characterized by molluscum bodies in the
epidermis above the stratum basale, which
consist of large cells with: abundant granular
eosinophilic cytoplasm (accumulated virions),
anda small peripheral nucleus.

15. There are many treatment
options
The treatment will
depend on your
age, health, where
the bumps appear
on your body, and
other
considerations.

16. Treatments that a dermatologist can
perform in the office to treat Molluscum
contagiosum include:
Cryosurgery:
The
dermatologist
freezes the
bumps with
liquid
nitrogen.

17. Curettage
Curettage: The
dermatologist
may use a small
tool called a
curette to scrape
the bumps from
the skin.

18. Laser surgery
Laser surgery: A
dermatologist uses
a laser to target and
destroy the bumps.
This can be an
effective treatment
for people who have
a weakened immune
system

19. In AIDS Patients
If a person has AIDS or another
disease that weakens the immune
system, the bumps will not go
away without treatment — and the
bumps can be a challenge to treat.
Dermatologists often combine
treatments to offer these patients
some clearing. Complete clearing
may not be possible.

20. Drugs to Treat
Imiquimod: This medicine is applied to
the bumps. Imiquimod helps your
immune system fight the virus. This is
strong medicine. It also is used to treat
stubborn warts and some skin cancers.
Retinoid or antiviral medicine applied
to the skin: Patients apply this
medicine to the bumps as instructed.

21. Outcome
Molluscum contagiosum
remains contagious until
all of the bumps go away.
If a person with a healthy
immune system opts not
to treat the bumps, the
bumps will eventually go
away on their own without
leaving a scar. After
treatment, a person may
get new bumps for as long
as 6 months. Most people
have complete clearing in
2 to 4 months.

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