These lesions are associated with the molluscum virus and are
present on a person who has a weakened immune system
(immunocompromised). Molluscum contagiosum are small, raised,
pearly skin lesions caused by the molluscum virus, a member of the
poxvirus family. They are seen frequently in children and less
often in adults. In adults, they may be considered a sexually
transmitted disease. Immunocompromised individuals may experience
heavy outbreaks of these lesions, as seen in this photograph.
Review Date: 06/09/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine,
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
