Table of Contents  
CASE REPORT
Year : 2012  |  Volume : 5  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 161-162  

Molluscum contagiosum of nipple


Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India

Date of Web Publication10-Nov-2012

Correspondence Address:
Divya Sethi
Department of Pathology, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0975-2870.103350

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  Abstract 

Molluscum contagiosum is a virus-induced dermatologic condition causing characteristic pearly lesions on the surface of skin. The lesion is common in children. In adults, it is usually a sexually transmitted disease. Molluscum contagiosum may be found anywhere on the body, although it rarely occurs on the palms and soles. Dermatosis of nipple due to molluscum contagiosum is rare. If it occurs, it is accompanied by lesions in other sites. Isolated involvement of nipple by the virus is unusual and has been reported only once in previous literature to the best of our knowledge. Here, we report this unusual case of isolated molluscum contagiosum of nipple in 30-year-old female.

Keywords: Inclusions, molluscum contagiosum, nipple


How to cite this article:
Marwah N, Gupta S, Singh S, Sethi D. Molluscum contagiosum of nipple. Med J DY Patil Univ 2012;5:161-2

How to cite this URL:
Marwah N, Gupta S, Singh S, Sethi D. Molluscum contagiosum of nipple. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2012 [cited 2024 Mar 28];5:161-2. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2012/5/2/161/103350


  Introduction Top


Dermatosis of nipple due to molluscum contagiosum is rare. If it occurs, it is accompanied by lesions in other sites. Isolated involvement of nipple by virus is unusual and has been reported only once in previous literature to the best of our knowledge. Here, we report this unusual case of isolated molluscum contagiosum of nipple in a 3-year-old female.


  Case Report Top


A 30-year-old female presented with small, popular, non-painful lesion on the nipple of right breast. It was clinically diagnosed as papilloma. The lesion was excised and sent for histopathologic examination. Microscopic examination revealed epidermal verrucous proliferation with mild nuclear atypia. Large numbers of intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions were observed in the keratinocytes [Figure 1] and [Figure 2]. The diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum was made.
Figure 1: Photomicrograph showing intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions (molluscum bodies) in the lower epidermis (H and E; 100×)

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Figure 2: Photomicrograph showing similar histological changes under high power (H and E; 400×)

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  Discussion Top


Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of skin and mucus membranes that is caused by infection with the molluscum contagiosum virus, which causes characteristic pearly lesions on the surface of skin. Molluscum contagiosum can be acquired from skin to skin contact which may be during play, in a swimming pool, or through sexual contact. [1] Incubation period varies between 14 and 50 days. Inflammatory changes are infrequent.

The condition mainly affects children, but in adults the advent of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has modified its clinical spectrum. [2] In both children and adults, the most common sites affected are head and neck, followed by trunk, upper extremity, genitalia, and lower extremity. However, molluscum contagiosum may be found anywhere on the body except for palms and soles. [2],[3]

Molluscum contagiosum causing dermatoses of nipple and areola is rare, the commonest cause being Paget's disease. Other causes are erosive adenomatosis, syringomatous tumor, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, benign cutaneous lymphocytoma, basal cell carcinoma, and nevoid areolar hyperkeratosis. Infectious causes like viral warts, molluscum contagiosum, and scabies are rare, and when present, are accompanied by lesions in other sites. [4]

Molluscum contagiosum is becoming an increasing problem in sexually active individuals and HIV patients. Although lesions are generally self-limiting, it may take 6 months to 5 years for the lesions to disappear. Furthermore, patients with weakened immune systems have increased difficulty in clearing lesions; therefore, lesions typically persist for prolonged periods. Although there has been continued debate about whether these lesions should be treated or allowed to resolve spontaneously, many clinicians recommend treatment of genital molluscum contagiosum lesions to reduce the risk of sexual transmission, prevent autoinoculation, and to increase patient quality of life. [5] In the present case, however, the patient was HIV negative.

 
  References Top

1.Connell CO, Oranje A, Van Gysel D, Silverberg NB. Congenital molluscum contagiosum: Report of four cases and review of literature. Pediatr Dermatol 2008;25:553-6.  Back to cited text no. 1
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2.Laxmisha C, Thappa DM, Jaisankar TJ. Clinical profile of molluscum contagiosum in children versus adults. Dermatol Online J 2003;9:1.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.Carvalho G. Molluscum Contagiosum in a Lesion Adjacent to the Nipple. Acta Cytol 1974;18:532-4.  Back to cited text no. 3
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4.Cordoliani F, Rybojad M, Verola O, Espie M. Dermatoses of the nipple and areola. Arch Anat Cytol Pathol 1995;43:82-7.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Tyring SK. Molluscum Contagiosum: The importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;189:S12-6.  Back to cited text no. 5
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    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]


This article has been cited by
1 ISOLATED MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM OF NIPPLE: A RARE CASE STUDY
Likhar K S,Hazari R A,Gupta S G,Patle Y
Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. 2014; 3(28): 7696
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

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