This patient with advanced HIV disease noted the appearance of these lesions on her face over several weeks.
What is the causative agent?
(Please select 1 option)
0. Bartonella henselae
0. Cryptococcus neoformans
0. Human herpes virus 8
0. Human papilloma virus
0. Pox virus
Answer: Pox Virus
Molluscum contagiosum is a disease caused by a pox virus of the Molluscipox virus genus that produces a benign self-limited papular eruption of multiple umbilicated cutaneous tumours.
This common viral disease is confined to the skin and mucous membranes. Transmission requires direct contact with infected hosts or contaminated fomites.
It is generally thought to infect humans exclusively, but there are a few isolated reports of molluscum contagiosum occurring in chickens, sparrows, pigeons, chimpanzees, kangaroos, a dog, and a horse.
The infection is found worldwide and has a higher incidence in children, sexually active adults, and those who are immunodeficient.
This disease is transmitted primarily through direct skin contact with an infected individual. Fomites have been suggested as another source of infection, with molluscum contagiosum reportedly acquired from bath towels, tattoo instruments, and in beauty parlours and Turkish baths.
The average incubation time is between two and seven weeks with a range extending out to six months.
The slide shows the typical papules (with central umbilcation) associated with molluscum contagiosum.
Molluscum contagiosum is sometimes presented in MRCP Part 2 in association with a tattoo.
Bartonella henselae is the bacterium that causes cat-scratch disease.
Cryptococcus neoformans can cause cutaneous lesions in advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, but the appearance here is not typical of cryptococcosis.