Pulsed dye laser treatment of molluscum contagiosum in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Molluscum contagiosum is usually a self-limited benign viral disease in children and young adults. In patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), however, the infection is often widespread, disfiguring, and recalcitrant to conventional therapy.

OBJECTIVE

A treatment modality for widespread, recurrent molluscum contagiosum is necessary that is effective, safe, and simple.

METHODS

Widespread molluscum contagiosum recalcitrant to conventional therapy in a patient with AIDS was treated with the 585-nm pulsed dye laser.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in the number of molluscum contagiosum lesions following a single treatment with the pulsed dye laser. Treated-areas remained disease-free after 4 months. No complications were associated with the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Pulsed dye laser treatment may offer another therapeutic modality that is effective and safe in the treatment of widespread and recurrent molluscum contagiosum.