Molluscum contagiosum natural history, complications and prognosis
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Molluscum contagiosum Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mahshid Mir, M.D. [2]
Overview
If left untreated, most of the patients with molluscum contagiosum may resolve the lesions spontaneously. Common complications of molluscum contagiosum include scarring, conjunctivitis, inflammatory reaction to molluscum contagiosum anigen and rarely Gianotti-Crosti like eruptions. Prognosis is generally good.
Natural History
- The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum usually develop 2 to 7 weeks after exposure but may range from 1 week to 6 months, with a mean of 6 weeks.
- Molluscum contagiosum initially presents with rash and pruritis.
- Molluscum contagiosum is a self limited disease that usually resolves without treatment.
- Occasionally, the disease may persist for three to five years. [1][2][3]
- In rare cases of eye involvement are left untreated, chronic conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis may progress to visual disturbance.
Complications
Complications that can develop as a result of molluscum contagiosum is skin scarring (which usually may happen after spontaneous resolution), chronic conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis, and rarely Gianotti-Crosti like eruptions. Inflammatory reactions to molluscum contagiosum antigen, including the previously underrecognized GCLR, has been reported.
- Scarring may be associated with eczematous patches or plaques surrounding molluscum contagiosum lesions.
- Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is characterized by distinct, self-limiting, erythematous, symmetrical, papulovesicular eruptions mainly distributed on the extremities, buttocks and face in young children[4][5].
Prognosis
The prognosis of molluscum contagiosum is good even without treatment. Sometimes, molluscum contagiosum will result in scarring. The presence of atopic dermatitis is associated with a particularly poor prognosis and higher chance of scar development among patients with molluscum contagiosum.
References
- ↑ Brown J, Janniger CK, Schwartz RA, Silverberg NB (2006). "Childhood molluscum contagiosum". Int. J. Dermatol. 45 (2): 93–9. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.02737.x. PMID 16445494.
- ↑ Butala N, Siegfried E, Weissler A (2013). "Molluscum BOTE sign: a predictor of imminent resolution". Pediatrics. 131 (5): e1650–3. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-2933. PMID 23545377.
- ↑ Lee R, Schwartz RA (2010). "Pediatric molluscum contagiosum: reflections on the last challenging poxvirus infection, Part 1". Cutis. 86 (5): 230–6. PMID 21214122.
- ↑ Berger EM, Orlow SJ, Patel RR, Schaffer JV (2012). "Experience with molluscum contagiosum and associated inflammatory reactions in a pediatric dermatology practice: the bump that rashes". Arch Dermatol. 148 (11): 1257–64. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2012.2414. PMID 22911012.
- ↑ Babu TA, Arivazhahan A (2015). "Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome following immunization in an 18 months old child". Indian Dermatol Online J. 6 (6): 413–5. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.169713. PMC 4693355. PMID 26751677.