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Mollusca Contagiosa

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Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

Mollusca contagiosa (MC) are defined as a common cutaneous viral infection caused by Molluscipox virus (MCV) affecting both children and adults. MC are clinically characterized by small, waxy, dome-shaped umbilicated papules. Whereas mollusca contagiosa are rather frequent in the 1–5 years old children and can be localized almost anywhere on the body, their appearance in adults is mostly regarded as sexually transmitted infection (STI). MCV might be transmitted directly from person to person or, by autoinoculation. MC in adults characteristically involve the genital area. However, the extragenital appearance of MC in adults can be more typically noticed in patients with immunosuppressive conditions, especially in HIV/AIDS patients. The onset of MC in HIV-positive individuals can be, according to the current literature data, regarded as a part of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). It is most probable that MC affect both sexes equally in children’s age, whereas it seems that in adult age the incidence in males prevails. Thus, in STD clinics in England and Wales, slightly more than twice as many men as woman were diagnosed with MC. Therapy may be beneficial in preventing transmission or autoinoculation. Unfortunately, there is no etiological treatment of MC so far, and majority of treatment options are mechanical, causing sometimes a certain degree of discomfort, or are not enough “evidence-based.” Special attention should be given to the extragenital site of involvement of MC in adults, and HIV serology testing should certainly be recommended in such patients. Both children and adults with MC should be educated to avoid skin contact and scratching with others to prevent transmission and autoinoculation. Besides, the adult patients with MC should be carefully screened for other STIs and counseled appropriately.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre and Medical School of Zagreb University, Šalata 4, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Mihael Skerlev & Karmela Husar

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  1. Mihael Skerlev
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  2. Karmela Husar
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Correspondence to Mihael Skerlev .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik und Poliklinik für, Dermatologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Rostock, Strempelstraße 13-85, Rostock, 18057, Mecklenburg-Vorpomm., Germany

    Gerd E. Gross

  2. University of Texas Health Science Cente, 451 North Texas Avenue, Houston, 77598, Texas, USA

    Stephen K. Tyring

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Skerlev, M., Husar, K. (2011). Mollusca Contagiosa. In: Gross, G., Tyring, S. (eds) Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14663-3_41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14663-3_41

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-14662-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-14663-3

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