Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is caused by a poxvirus which produces cutaneous lesions which appear as small, firm, umbilicated papules. In general, there are three clinical presentations of MC: the childhood variety due to casual contact; the sexually transmitted variety in adults; and the aggressive form seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Removal of MC lesions is usually straightforward in the first two presentations and can include mechanical removal with a blade or curette, cryosurgery, podophyllin or podophyllotoxin, cantharidin, various acids or retinoids. In the HIV seropositive patient such treatments are usually inadequate due to the very large number of lesions and the rapid recurrence after mechanical removal. Combination therapy has been more successful in such cases especially if treatment includes such experimental antiviral/immunomodulatory agents as imiquimod or cidofovir.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.