Regression of mollusca contagiosa in HIV infected children following highly active antiretroviral therapy

Two children with symptomatic HIV-infection suffered from extended mollusca contagiosa. Intensified antiretroviral therapy including a protease inhibi tor, resulted in a decrease of HIV RNA plasma concentration and a dramatic increase of CD4 T cells. Mollusca contagiosa nearly completely disappeared. These cases demonstrated that newly generated CD4 T cells during sufficien t antiretroviral treatment have functional abilities. Therefore, sufficient antiretroviral treatment should be offered to HIV infected children with e xtended mollusca contagiosa before surgical intervention is considered.