2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum

Abstract

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral epidermal infection associated with high risk of transmission. The guideline is focused on the sexually transmitted molluscum contagiosum. The diagnosis is clinical with characteristic individual lesions, termed ‘mollusca’, seen as dome‐shaped, smooth‐surfaced, pearly, firm, skin‐coloured, pink, yellow or white papules, 2 ‐ 5 mm in diameter with central umbilication. Dermoscopy may facilitate diagnosis. Therapeutic options are numerous, including physical treatments (cautery, curettage and cryotherapy), topical chemical treatments (e.g. podophyllotoxin and imiquimod) or waiting for spontaneous resolution in immunocompetent patients. In pregnancy, it is safe to use physical procedures (e.g. cryotherapy). Immunosuppressed patients develop severe and recalcitrant molluscum lesions that may require treatment with cidofovir, imiquimod or interferon. Patients with molluscum contagiosum infection should be offered to be screened for other sexually transmitted infections.

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV national guideline for the management of Genital Molluscum in adults (2021)

“…Where molluscum lesions are associated with dermatitis (either due to background atopy or as an immune reaction to lesions), we suggest considering emollients and possibly mild topical steroid to settle inflammation, reduce the risk of scratching and further autoinoculation. 120 (GRADE 2C)Where active treatment for genital molluscum is required, we suggest that liquid nitrogen therapy or topical podophyllotoxin may be used. (GRADE 2C)…”

“…Where molluscum lesions are associated with dermatitis (either due to background atopy or as an immune reaction to lesions), we suggest considering emollients and possibly mild topical steroid to settle inflammation, reduce the risk of scratching and further autoinoculation. 120…”

Molluscum contagiosum treated with individualized homoeopathic medicine: A case report

“…In order to diagnose the molluscum contagiosum, a clinical examination is needed, with characteristic umblicated papule it is not difficult to diagnosed [9] . Syringoma, Closed Comedones (whiteheads), and Warts (including anogenital ones) are the common differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum in children [10] . In the cases where diagnosis is difficult, dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, and histopathology, are useful tools [1] .…”

“…cantharidin, potassium hydroxide, podophyllotoxins etc.) [10,11] . Most molluscum contagiosum lesions in non-compromised persons resolve spontaneously within an average duration of six to 12 months.…”

Strategies and Patterns of Codon Bias in Molluscum Contagiosum Virus

“…Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the genus Molluscipox of Poxviridae family [45]. Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a self-limited skin disease caused by MCV in humans which is characterized by small but raised mollusca (lesions) on the top layer of skin [46]. High incidence of MC is limited to the pediatric population, but immunodeficient individuals and sexually active adults are also susceptible to this infectious dermatosis [47].…”