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Case 5: Molluscum Contagiosum

You answered:

B Molluscum contagiosum is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6.

This answer is incorrect. Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a DNA poxvirus, not HPV. Warts, which can clinically resemble molluscum, result from infection with HPV.

Choose another answer:

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.
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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