Molluscum Contagiosum‐Induced Comedo and Secondary Abscess Formation

Abstract

A 9-year-old boy had recurrent formation of fluctuating abscesses of the forearms, leading to surgical incisions. Histopathologic examinations revealed that the etiologic agent was a molluscum virus in the lower portion of a pilosebaceous follicle, which formed a comedo. The comedones developed into pustular and cystic lesions after the boy attempted to squeeze out the contents. Two different reaction patterns to molluscum contagiosum seem to be present: a lymphocyte-mediated immunologic reaction in normally regressing lesions, and an acute inflammatory reaction due to disruption of infected epidermal tissue into the dermis, as seen in this patient.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Skin Diseases

“…4,5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Molluscum contagiosum Typically presents as umbilicated, or delled, flesh-colored to light-pink pearly papules, measuring 1-10 mm in diameter ( Figure D). [17][18][19][20][21]…”

Childhood molluscum contagiosum

“…Clinically, atypical lesions may arise from involvement of hair follicles, 36 with secondary abscess formation caused by manipulation 37 . Molluscum contagiosum can cause unilateral refractory conjunctivitis when it infects the eyelid.…”

Viral diseases

“…26.2). 103 Molluscum folliculitis is an uncommon pattern seen mainly in immunocompromised persons. 98,99 Areas of hair bulb differentiation, or epithelial proliferation mimicking a basal cell carcinoma, may occur at the margins of a lesion.…”