Diagnosis of atypical molluscum contagiosum: the utility of a squash preparation

Bioactive Compounds as Potential Agents for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Management: A Review to Explore Molecular Mechanisms of Action

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are produced by pathogens like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, and may generate severe health problems such as cancer, ulcers, and even problems in the newborn. This narrative review aims to present updated information about the use of natural bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. A search of the literature was performed using databases and search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct. From the pharmacotherapeutic management point of view, any strategies for prevention should contain medical approaches. The bioactive compounds obtained from natural products have shown biological effects against different microorganisms for the treatment of these diseases. The main results showed antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antifungal and antiviral effects such as HIV. Also, the molecular mechanisms, signalling pathways and action targets of natural compounds were highlighted, thus justifying bacterial and antifungal inhibition, apoptosis or reduction of viral replication. From the data of our study, we can conclude that natural compounds may be a significant source for adjuvant drugs / complementary therapies in the treatment of STDs. With all these benefits, the future must conduct extensive clinical trials and the development of pharmaceutical nanotechnologies for a greater therapeutic effect.

Molluscum contagiosum in a 12-year-old child - report of a case and review of literature

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is an infection of the skin and mucous membrane caused by a DNA virus from the poxvirus family. It usually affects any part of the body and presents as pearly, flesh colored dome shaped nodule with a central umbilication. Clinical diagnosis can be supplemented with histopathology for the confirmed diagnosis of MC. This article presents a case of 12-year-old male child afflicted with MC along with a review of the literature on MC.

Cytological diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum with an unusual clinical presentation at an unusual site

BACKGROUND

Molluscum contagiosum, is a common skin infection caused by a pox virus usually present as raised nodule with umbilicated centre. Cytologic diagnosis has been documented in very few case reports as the lesion is subjected to fine needle aspiration rarely and awareness of the cytological features of Molluscum contagiosum is limited. The cytological diagnosis is further challenging in clinically unsuspected lesions.

MAIN OBSERVATIONS

A 45-year-old female patient presented with 10 months history of a nodular nipple lesion which ulcerated after local application of caustic pencil. There was no associated breast lump. Cheesy material was expressed from the ulcer on the nipple and crush smeared on slides for cytological evaluation. Cytology smears revealed nucleate and anucleate squames in an inflammatory background. Characteristic intracytopalsmic and extracytopalsmic molluscum bodies were seen.

CONCLUSION

The nipple is an unusual site of presentation for Molluscum contagiosum. Ulcerated lesions are rarer. In the present case, the cytological examination facilitated the diagnosis in a clinically unsuspected case. Cytology can be a useful rapid diagnostic aid in planning the management of these patients and help in avoiding unnecessary biopsies.