Anogenital molluscum contagiosum: treatment choices

We conducted a retrospective audit in our large level 3 sexual health clinic in London on management options considered for molluscum contagiosum for the first hundred patients treated in 2019. Topical podophyllotoxin and cryotherapy were the most preferred first-line management—podophyllotoxin 41%, cryotherapy 18%, expectant management 13%, imiquimod 2%, mixed therapy of topical drug and cryotherapy 26% (imiquimod and cryotherapy 2%, podophyllotoxin and cryotherapy 24%). The outcome was compared between 41 cases treated with only cryotherapy at the first visit and the first 41 cases treated with only topical podophyllotoxin. Patients who did not attend follow-up were considered to have resolved lesions. A similar proportion of people in both groups reattended at 4 weeks for further treatment (table 1). Topical podophyllotoxin performed equivalent to cryotherapy at 4 weeks for the treatment of anogenital molluscum contagiosum in our clinic. This observation was similar to previous studies on non-genital sites.

Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Sivaraj, V., Ahamed, A., Gurung, M., Menon-Johansson, A. S. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research