Molluscum Contagiosum and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

To the Editor.— Multiple mollusca contagiosa commonly occur in the genital areas of otherwise healthy young adults.1Recurrences are frequent unless all lesions are recognized and destroyed. The following is a report of two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who presented with large numbers of mollusca that rapidly recurred despite adequate therapy. Case 1.— A 34-year-old homosexual man who was apparently in otherwise good health presented with innumerable mollusca distributed over the entire glabrous skin. Despite weekly curettage of more than 100 lesions, new lesions continued to appear. Within six months of his first visit, the patient developed Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia and died. Throughout his terminal course, he continued to develop large numbers of mollusca. Case 2.— A 29-year-old homosexual man, who had had severe herpes zoster of the right leg six months previously, developed recurrent and multiple mollusca on the face. These were treated by curettage