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Case 5: Molluscum Contagiosum

You answered:

A The diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum in this patient is probably wrong because molluscum lesions almost never develop on the face of HIV-infected persons.

This answer is incorrect. Molluscum contagiosum most frequently involves the face, neck, and genital tract in HIV-infected persons. In contrast, immune competent HIV-negative persons most often have lesions on the trunk, extremities, or groin.

Choose another answer:

B Molluscum contagiosum is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6.
C Although molluscum contagiosum can result in disfiguring skin lesions in HIV-infected persons with advanced immune suppression, these individuals do not develop systemic complications from molluscum.
D Recent data have shown that valacyclovir (Valtrex) is a highly effective treatment for molluscum in HIV-infected persons.

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