Facial vs Non-facial Molluscum Contagiosum Infection in Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Nicolas Andre; Eman Jurban; Adva Alyagon; Chen Moskovich; Or Kaplan; Gidon Test; Amir Horev

doi:10.2340/actadv.v104.40091

Authors

Nicolas Andre Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer-Sheva, Israel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1728-409X
Eman Jurban Pediatric Department, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
Adva Alyagon Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Chen Moskovich Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Or Kaplan
Gidon Test Pediatric Emergency Department, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0315-912X
Amir Horev Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Pediatric Dermatology Service, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6646-9061

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v104.40091

Keywords:

Inflammation, Molluscum Contagiosum, Pediatric Dermatology

Abstract

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection affecting different body areas, including the face. Previous data have shown cases of atypical lesions, notably on the face, and it was thought relevant to further examine differences between facial and non-facial lesions. All cases of children (0–18) diagnosed with molluscum contagiosum from 2013–2022 at the paediatric dermatology clinic of Soroka University Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed, and 615 children were included in the study. Facial lesions tended to be found in younger children (p = 0.018). Non-facial lesions were more erythematous (p < 0.001), itchier (p < 0.001), and showed similar patterns of ulceration (p = 0.078) and purulence (p = 0.779). The average lesion diameter was similar in patients with or without facial lesions (p = 1). Children with facial lesions were treated differently from patients without facial lesions (p < 0.001); however, there were no differences in treatment response. This research challenges assumptions concerning the severity of facial lesions, including eyelid lesions, by revealing that, overall, they exhibit less inflammation than non-facial lesions. Despite the potential for greater psychosocial burdens and impacts on self-esteem associated with lesions on the sensitive facial area, this study provides evidence that they are not inherently more worrisome and can be managed similarly to lesions found elsewhere in the body.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Olsen JR, Gallacher J, Piguet V, Francis NA. Epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children: a systematic review. Fam Pract 2014; 31: 130-136.

https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmt075 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmt075

Meza-Romero R, Navarrete-Dechent C, Downey C. Molluscum contagiosum: an update and review of new perspectives in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2019; 12: 373-381.

https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S187224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S187224

van der Wouden JC, van der Sande R, Kruithof EJ, Sollie A, van Suijlekom-Smit LW, Koning S. Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 2017: CD004767.

https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004767.pub4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004767.pub4

Hebert AA, Bhatia N, Del Rosso JQ. Molluscum contagiosum: epidemiology, considerations, treatment options, and therapeutic gaps. J Clin Aesthetic Dermatol 2023; 16: S4-11.

Rosner M, Zloto O. Periocular molluscum contagiosum: six different clinical presentations. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 2018; 96: e600-605.

https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.13717 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.13717

Sun YW, Oh CW, Kim TH. Molluscum contagiosum of the newborn: an unusual presentation. Ann Dermatol 2016; 10: 53-55.

https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.1998.10.1.53 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.1998.10.1.53

Kim HK, Jang WS, Kim BJ, Kim MN. Rare manifestation of giant molluscum contagiosum on the scalp in old age. Ann Dermatol 2013; 25: 109-110.

https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2013.25.1.109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2013.25.1.109

Contento M, Maher J, Cline A, Rose S. Why does facial eczema differ from body eczema? J Drugs Dermatol 2022; 21: 1119-1123.

https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.6354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.6354

Keshavarz E, Roknsharifi S, Shirali Mohammadpour R, Roknsharifi M. Clinical features and severity of psoriasis: a comparison of facial and nonfacial involvement in Iran. Arch Iran Med 2013; 16: 25-28.

Yedidia Moser R, Ben-Shimol S, Sagi O, Horev A. Comparison between cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with facial and non-facial lesions. Int J Dermatol 2021; 60: 1109-1113.

https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15582 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15582

Shisler JL. Immune evasion strategies of molluscum contagiosum virus. Adv Virus Res 2015; 92: 201-252.

https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aivir.2014.11.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aivir.2014.11.004

Gambichler T, Matip R, Moussa G, Altmeyer P, Hoffmann K. In vivo data of epidermal thickness evaluated by optical coherence tomography: effects of age, gender, skin type, and anatomic site. J Dermatol Sci 2006; 44: 145-152.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2006.09.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2006.09.008

Gaurkar SP, Pund PB, Dindore PR, Bhoi UY. Extensive molluscum contagiosum causing obstruction of vision in HIV positive woman. Indian Dermatol Online J 2016; 7: 190-191.

https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.182360 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.182360

Robinson MR, Udell IJ, Garber PF, Perry HD, Streeten BW. Molluscum contagiosum of the eyelids in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Ophthalmology 1992; 99: 1745-1747.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(92)31737-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(92)31737-3

Badri T, Gandhi GR. Molluscum contagiosum. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2023 Nov 1]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441898/

Dollani LC, Marathe KS. Impetigo/staphylococcal scalded skin disease. Pediatr Rev 2020; 41: 210-212.

https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2018-0206 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2018-0206

Jankowski M, Goroncy A. Perceptive hierarchy of facial skin lesions: an eye-tracking study. Acta Derm Venereol 2022; 102: adv00799.

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v102.2514 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v102.2514