Molluscum contagiosum is a cutaneous infection caused by a large DNA poxvirus that affects both children and adults. Transmission of molluscum contagiosum has been reported by skin contact and has occurred in wrestlers, patients of a surgeon with a hand lesion, and people sharing baths, towels, gymnasium equipment, and benches. Autoinoculation also occurs as evidenced by linear arrays of lesions on infected individuals.
Molluscum contagiosum can likely be vertically transmitted, which is similarly to other viruses such as condyloma acuminatum and human papilloma virus. The virus that causes molluscum replicates in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells producing cytoplasmic inclusions, and it may cause enlargement of infected cells. Molluscum contagiosum affects both sexes equally.
Persons of any race can be affected. Molluscum is common in the tropics and subtropics, probably because of the increased desquamation associated with hydration. Childhood molluscum is common in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and certain parts of Africa. Studies suggest that transmission may be related to poor hygiene and climatic factors, such as warmth and humidity.
Molluscum contagiosum appears to have a bimodal age distribution. The first is in childhood, when transmission occurs from nonsexual skin contact. The second is in early adulthood, when it occurs as a STD. Molluscum is more common in patients who are on steroid therapy or in those who have atopic dermatitis, immunodeficiency, or lymphoproliferative disorders.
Most patients are asymptomatic; some complain of pruritus, tenderness, and pain. The incubation period ranges from weeks to months. Case studies of vertically transmitted molluscum contagiosum describe a relatively short incubation period, with infections appearing on infants between ages of a few days to 6 weeks following maternal exposure. If patients have eczema or other diseases altering skin barrier function, molluscum may spread more rapidly in affected areas.
Physical findings generally are limited to the skin, but cases have reported findings on the eyelids and conjunctiva. Firm, smooth, umbilicated papules, usually 2-6 mm in diameter, may be present in groups or may be widely disseminated on skin. The lesions can be flesh-colored, white, translucent, or even yellow in color. Some lesions may become confluent to form a plaque.
In children, papules are located mainly on the trunk and extremities. But in adults, lesions often are located on the lower abdominal wall, inner thighs, pubic area, and genitalia. Although rarely found in the mouth or on the palms and soles, cases of molluscum contagiosum involving the oral mucosa, including the lips, buccal mucosa, hard palate, retromolar pad, and tongue, have been reported.
In some conditions (eg, sarcoidosis, lymphocytic leukemia, congenital immunodeficiency, selective immunoglobulin M deficiency, thymoma, prednisone and methotrexate therapy, AIDS, malignancy, atopic dermatitis), multiple widespread, persistent, and disfiguring lesions can occur, especially on the face and possibly involving the neck and trunk. Patients with AIDS often develop larger and a greater number of lesions.
Molluscum contagiosum generally is self-limited and heals after several months or years. Any one lesion is present for about two months; however, to prevent autoinoculation or transmission to close contacts, therapy may be beneficial. The common goal of the different treatment methods is the destruction of the lesions. Commonly used treatments are not always successful and have some side effects to treat molluscum infections.
According to medical knowledge, the advantage of chemical drugs is that they have clear healing efficacy and powerful lethal effect to infectious agent because they are usually chemical substances. Yet at the same time, as chemical drugs have certain side effect more or less, some present toxic side effect obviously and even can cause serious drug-induced diseases and drug resistance.
Natural drugs have marked antiviral activity against molluscum and possess antioxidant properties. They are composed of organic extracts selected for their antiviral activity against pox viruses, and their ability to heal skin tissue and to strengthen immune defenses. Natural drugs are particularly invaluable in consideration of their ability to inactivate the molluscum virus and for their tolerability to healthy surrounding tissue. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.
Molluscum contagiosum can likely be vertically transmitted, which is similarly to other viruses such as condyloma acuminatum and human papilloma virus. The virus that causes molluscum replicates in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells producing cytoplasmic inclusions, and it may cause enlargement of infected cells. Molluscum contagiosum affects both sexes equally.
Persons of any race can be affected. Molluscum is common in the tropics and subtropics, probably because of the increased desquamation associated with hydration. Childhood molluscum is common in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and certain parts of Africa. Studies suggest that transmission may be related to poor hygiene and climatic factors, such as warmth and humidity.
Molluscum contagiosum appears to have a bimodal age distribution. The first is in childhood, when transmission occurs from nonsexual skin contact. The second is in early adulthood, when it occurs as a STD. Molluscum is more common in patients who are on steroid therapy or in those who have atopic dermatitis, immunodeficiency, or lymphoproliferative disorders.
Most patients are asymptomatic; some complain of pruritus, tenderness, and pain. The incubation period ranges from weeks to months. Case studies of vertically transmitted molluscum contagiosum describe a relatively short incubation period, with infections appearing on infants between ages of a few days to 6 weeks following maternal exposure. If patients have eczema or other diseases altering skin barrier function, molluscum may spread more rapidly in affected areas.
Physical findings generally are limited to the skin, but cases have reported findings on the eyelids and conjunctiva. Firm, smooth, umbilicated papules, usually 2-6 mm in diameter, may be present in groups or may be widely disseminated on skin. The lesions can be flesh-colored, white, translucent, or even yellow in color. Some lesions may become confluent to form a plaque.
In children, papules are located mainly on the trunk and extremities. But in adults, lesions often are located on the lower abdominal wall, inner thighs, pubic area, and genitalia. Although rarely found in the mouth or on the palms and soles, cases of molluscum contagiosum involving the oral mucosa, including the lips, buccal mucosa, hard palate, retromolar pad, and tongue, have been reported.
In some conditions (eg, sarcoidosis, lymphocytic leukemia, congenital immunodeficiency, selective immunoglobulin M deficiency, thymoma, prednisone and methotrexate therapy, AIDS, malignancy, atopic dermatitis), multiple widespread, persistent, and disfiguring lesions can occur, especially on the face and possibly involving the neck and trunk. Patients with AIDS often develop larger and a greater number of lesions.
Molluscum contagiosum generally is self-limited and heals after several months or years. Any one lesion is present for about two months; however, to prevent autoinoculation or transmission to close contacts, therapy may be beneficial. The common goal of the different treatment methods is the destruction of the lesions. Commonly used treatments are not always successful and have some side effects to treat molluscum infections.
According to medical knowledge, the advantage of chemical drugs is that they have clear healing efficacy and powerful lethal effect to infectious agent because they are usually chemical substances. Yet at the same time, as chemical drugs have certain side effect more or less, some present toxic side effect obviously and even can cause serious drug-induced diseases and drug resistance.
Natural drugs have marked antiviral activity against molluscum and possess antioxidant properties. They are composed of organic extracts selected for their antiviral activity against pox viruses, and their ability to heal skin tissue and to strengthen immune defenses. Natural drugs are particularly invaluable in consideration of their ability to inactivate the molluscum virus and for their tolerability to healthy surrounding tissue. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.
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