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.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulsed dye laser treatment may offer another therapeutic modality that is effective and safe in the treatment of widespread and recurrent molluscum contagiosum.
Nehal
K S
KS
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA.
Sarnoff
D S
DS
Gotkin
R H
RH
Friedman-Kien
A
A
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome