Molluscum Contagiosum : Clinical

Comments:
Molluscum Contagiosum - Clinical Features: Patients develop multiple individual or clusters of lesions (known as Mollusca) following an incubation period that ranges from 2 to 7 weeks, but may be as long as 6 months. The lesions measure up to 5 mm in size and are smooth, pearly, firm, fleshy papules with a depressed center. Scratching may lead to spread of lesions by autoinoculation.

Immunocompromised patients can develop extensive, generalized, and confluent lesions, including giant mollusca measuring 1 cm or more. In HIV-positive individuals, there may be clusters of lesions involving face, perioral region, and eyelids.

Pain, tenderness, or itching in lesions is uncommon. However, they can become secondarily infected and resemble furuncle. Genital lesions may become inflamed and ulcerated and may resemble those produced by herpes simplex virus. About 10% of patients develop eczematous dermatitis around the papules.

This photograph shows typical mollusca with umbilicated centers on the lower extremity of a child. Image courtesy of: Gzzz; cropped from the original image; used under license CC BY-SA