Treatment guidelines lacking for molluscum contagiosum in HIV-positive

(HealthDay)—High-quality studies are lacking in assessing interventions for molluscum contagiosum (MC) in HIV-positive patients, according to a review published online March 18 in the International Journal of Dermatology.

Paul Martin, B.M.B.S., from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, conducted a systematic literature review in order to assess strategies for treating MC in people concomitantly infected with HIV and develop recommendations on best management strategies for these patients.

Based on 13 studies reviewed, Martin found that the quality of study design was poor. Additionally, there was a wide array of outcome variables and a lack of objective evidence. This prevented the development of specific recommendations for the treatment of MC in HIV-positive patients.

"Despite the good impact antiretroviral therapy has made on prevalence of dermatologic disease, MC remains an important cause of morbidity in HIV-positive populations," Martin writes "Well-designed, adequately powered, randomized, controlled studies are very much needed to provide an evidence base to aid clinical decision making."