Molluscum contagiosum

Introduction. 

Molluscum contagiosum is a sexually transmitted infection that causes wart-like or nodular skin lesions. Although caused by a member of the poxvirus family, this infection is fairly mild and skin lesions usually resolve within months.

Summary

• Cause: Molluscipoxvirus
• Transmission: Direct contact (wrestling, STD)
• Symptoms: Nodular skin lesions appearing 2 - 8 weeks after infection
• Pathogenesis: Replication in epithelial cells; cell enlargement & inclusion (molluscum bodies) 
• Treatment: removal of wart, eg liquid nitrogen
• Immunity: ?
• Vaccine: ?

References/Links

1. http://depts.washington.edu/hhpccweb/images/370x270_molloscum.jpg