Molluscum contagiosum in a pediatric American Indian population: incidence and risk factors

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 29;9(7):e103419. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103419. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Background: Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) causes an innocuous yet persistent skin infection in immunocompetent individuals and is spread by contact with lesions. Studies point to atopic dermatitis (AD) as a risk factor for MCV infection; however, there are no longitudinal studies that have evaluated this hypothesis.

Methods: Outpatient visit data from fiscal years 2001-2009 for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children were examined to describe the incidence of molluscum contagiosum (MC). We conducted a case-control study of patients <5 years old at an Indian Health Service (IHS) clinic to evaluate dermatological risk factors for infection.

Results: The incidence rate for MC in children <5 years old was highest in the West and East regions. MC cases were more likely to have a prior or co-occurring diagnosis of eczema, eczema or dermatitis, impetigo, and scabies (p<0.05) compared to controls; 51.4% of MC cases had a prior or co-occurring diagnosis of eczema or dermatitis.

Conclusions: The present study is the first demonstration of an association between AD and MC using a case-control study design. It is unknown if the concurrent high incidence of eczema and MC is related, and this association deserves further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Indians, North American*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Molluscum Contagiosum / epidemiology*
  • Molluscum contagiosum virus*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology

Grants and funding

Funding was provided for by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indian Health Service. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.