SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND DISEASES: OLD AND NEW CHALLENGES - PART II 

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2012 October;147(5):447-53

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The challenges of a neglected STI: Molluscum contagiosum

Zichichi L. ¹, Maniscalco M. ² ✉

¹ Department of Dermatology, Trapani Hospital, Trapani, Italy; ² Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, ASP 1 Agrigento, Italy

Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) virus, a DNA Poxvirus, is responsible for benign infection of the skin epidermal layer and mucous membranes named MC. The lesions are small papules with typical central depressions or umbilications, that contain a waxy, curd-like core. The condition is most common in children, but during the last 25 years has become more common in young adults and immuno-compromised adults, especially in HIV/AIDS. Although molluscum contagiosum infections are considered a nuisance rather than a serious heath problem, the rising incidence in young , sexually active adults, suggests a transmission during sexual activity and can be regarded as a marker for the presence of other STIs. Even though some Authors don’t recommend any treatment for cutaneous, non genital molluscum contagiosum in healthy people, treatment of genital molluscum contagiosum lesions is recommended in order to reduce the risk of sexual transmission, prevent autoinoculation, and increase patients quality of life.