Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a self-limiting viral disease of the skin and
the mucous membranes. Facial and perioral MC is seen with increasing frequ
ency in human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection, particularly in HIV infecte
d homosexual men. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical observ
ations of facial and perioral MC in HIV infected patients.
One hundred and eighty HIV-positive individuals (160 males and 20 females)
were examined over a period of five years. Fifty-eight were homosexual men
and 19 were bisexual men. Fifty-one of 180 patients at the time of the firs
t examination had CD(+)4 count <200 cells/mm(3) and another 63 presented lo
ss of CD(+)4 cells in this level, during this period.
Three HIV infected patients (two homosexual and one bisexual) were affected
with facial and perioral MC. At the time of MC diagnosis the CD(+)4 count
was less than 200 cells/mm(3) for all three patients. One patient died nine
months after MC diagnosis and the other two are still alive. It is remarka
ble that in this study no clinical lesions were observed on other sites of
the skin.