title: Viral infections of the pubis.
abstract: There are no demographic data published on those with viral infections of the pubis (VIPs). We conducted a two-year prospective study to collect demographic information on patients with VIPs. Data were gathered on age, sex, diagnosis, low (≤10) or high (>10) lesion number, symptoms, how the patient discovered the lesions, localization, lesions beyond the pubis, risk factors, shaving habits, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status and treatment. In a total of 61 patients, molluscum contagiosum (MC) was identified in 71%, condylomata acuminata (CA) in 11%, concomitant MC and CA infections in 11% and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in 4.8%. Shaving represented a risk factor for a high lesion number, but not for the extension beyond the pubis. MC, CA and HSV infections affecting the pubis are uncommon and often asymptomatic. As they may represent a hidden source of infection we recommend thorough inspection of the pubis during routine skin examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Liège University Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castronovo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lebas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikkels-Tassoudji
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nikkels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060085:Coinfection / Q000175:diagnosis; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D008977:Molluscum contagiosum virus; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D010388:Pelvis / Q000821:virology*; D018139:Simplexvirus; D055815:Young Adult