Growth and regression of molluscum contagiosum.

The spontaneous evolution of molluscum contagiosum was studied on autoradiograms after incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Three patterns of distribution and intensity of labeling were distinguished and interpreted as three successive stages in the evolution of the lesions, corresponding to growth, steady-state, and regression. The association of an inflammatory cell infiltrate with the traumatic disruption of the infected epithelium may occur during any of the three stages. It is concluded that spontaneous regression of molluscum contagiosum may depend upon two distinct mechanisms that belong to spontaneous noninflammatory and traumatic-inflammatory processes.