Molecular epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum virus and analysis of the host‐serum antibody response in Spanish HIV‐negative patients

Abstract

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) lesions from Spanish human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients were clinically examined and analyzed for virus detection and typing. In a study of 147 patients, 97 (66%) were children under 10 years, of whom 49% had atopic dermatitis. MCV lesions were morphologically indistinguishable among the different age groups, but atopic patients presented larger lesions compared with patients without the disorder. In adults, lesions were observed mainly on the genitals. MCVI was the predominant subtype. The deduced MCVI/MCVII ratio (146:1) was much higher than that found in other geographical areas. Protein preparations of the virus-induced lesions were immunoblotted with sera from 25 MCVI patients. The host-serum antibody response was weak and variable, although no significant differences were found between atopic and nonatopic patients. Three immunoreactive proteins of 74/80, 60, and 35 kDa were detected in almost all the analyzed sera. The 35 and 74/80-kDa proteins were virus specific, whereas the 60-kDa protein band was composed of a mix of human keratins. Immunoblotting of MCV lesions and vaccinia virus-infected cell extracts with either MCV patient serum or a rabbit antiserum against vaccinia virus showed no cross-reactivity of these two human poxviruses at the antigenic level.

Clinical Characteristics of Molluscum Contagiosum in Children in a Private Dermatology Practice in the Greater Paris Area, France: A Prospective Study in 661 Patients

“…Because autoinoculation of the virus into the diaper region is the most common source of genital infection in children, MC in the genital area are often seen in children as a part of multiple site involvement [8,15,16]. On the other hand, we found that MC strictly restricted to the genital area were very rare (0.8%).…”

“…Despite the large number of our patients who were going to the swimming pool (79%, 507/627), we did not find any relation between swimming pool attendance and MC. Twenty-six percent of children with MC (close to the 33% reported by Agromayor et al [15]) were closely related to individuals who themselves were diagnosed with MC, but there was no relation with the number of MC or recurrences. Forty-five percent reported that they had shared a bath with other children (close to the 38% reported by Braue et al [18]) and this was associated with a higher number of MC.…”

“…MC have been reported to be more common in patients with AD [4,9,15,17,18,19,20]. However, some studies have reached different conclusions [3].…”

“…The trunk is the most frequent location of lesions [8,][15], with lesions occurring less commonly on the extremities. Approximately 77.5% of the patients presented with lesions in more than one region.…”

The epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children

“…38 The percentage of patients with MC and AD was reported as high as 49% in a study conducted in Spain. 39 The results of the Spanish study also showed a relation between patients with concurrent AD and large lesions, although these patients had no other distinguishing clinical finding. Overall, the small increase in the percentage of reported MC-infected children with AD as compared with AD in the general population may simply reflect referral bias and the tendency of patients with AD to more readily seek care for skin problems and to be examined regularly by a physician.…”