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Molluscum contagiosum

Last reviewed: 12 Dec 2025
Last updated: 27 Sep 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • pearly papule with a central dell
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • surrounding erythema
  • facial or groin distribution of lesions
  • pruritus
  • atopic dermatitis
  • sleep disturbance
Full details

Risk factors

  • close contact with an infected individual
  • sexual contact with an infected individual
  • atopic dermatitis
  • immunocompromise
  • tropical climate
  • swimming
Full details

Diagnostic tests

Tests to consider

  • dermoscopy
  • curettage biopsy
  • hematoxylin and eosin staining
  • full sexual health screen including HIV test
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

immunocompetent

immunocompromised

Contributors

Authors

Nicholas Francis, PhD, MD, BA, MRCGP

Professor of Primary Care Research

Primary Care Research Centre

School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education

University of Southampton

Southampton

UK

Declarações

NF declares that he has no competing interests.

Agradecimentos

Dr Nicholas Francis would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Nanette B. Silverberg, a previous contributor to this topic.

Declarações

NBS declares that she has no competing interests.

Revisores

David M. Ozog, MD

Director of Cosmetic Dermatology

Department of Dermatology

Cosmetic and Procedural Dermatology

Henry Ford Health System

Detroit

MI

Declarações

DMO declares that he has no competing interests.

Anthony Ormerod, MB, ChB, MRCP, FRCP(Edin), MD, FRCP(Lond)

Consultant Dermatologist

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

Aberdeen

UK

Declarações

None disclosed.

Andrea Bershow, MD

Staff Dermatologist

VA Medical Center

Minneapolis

MN

Declarações

AB declares that she has no competing interests.

Créditos aos pareceristas

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Referências

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Principais artigos

Fernando I, K Edwards S, Grover D. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV national guideline for the management of genital molluscum in adults (2021). Int J STD AIDS. 2022 Apr;33(5):422-32. Resumo

Edwards S, Boffa MJ, Janier M, et al. 2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021 Jan;35(1):17-26.Texto completo  Resumo

van der Wouden JC, van der Sande R, Kruithof EJ, et al. Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 May 17;(5):CD004767.Texto completo  Resumo

Artigos de referência

Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.
  • Molluscum contagiosum images
  • Diagnósticos diferenciais

    • Warts
    • Deep fungal infection (Cryptococcosis and Penicillium marneffei)
    • Herpes simplex virus
    Mais Diagnósticos diferenciais
  • Guidelines

    • UK national guideline for the management of genital molluscum in adults
    • 2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum
    Mais Diretrizes
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