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Meta-Analysis
. 2017 May 17;5(5):CD004767.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004767.pub4.

Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum

Johannes C van der Wouden  1 , Renske van der Sande  2 , Emma J Kruithof  1 , Annet Sollie  3 , Lisette Wa van Suijlekom-Smit  4 , Sander Koning  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum

Johannes C van der Wouden et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection that is caused by a pox virus and occurs mainly in children. The infection usually resolves within months in people without immune deficiency, but treatment may be preferred for social and cosmetic reasons or to avoid spreading the infection. A clear evidence base supporting the various treatments is lacking.This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2006, and updated previously in 2009.

Objectives: To assess the effects of specific treatments and management strategies, including waiting for natural resolution, for cutaneous, non-genital molluscum contagiosum in people without immune deficiency.

Search methods: We updated our searches of the following databases to July 2016: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS. We searched six trial registers and checked the reference lists of included studies and review articles for further references to relevant randomised controlled trials. We contacted pharmaceutical companies and experts in the field to identify further relevant randomised controlled trials.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials of any treatment of molluscum contagiosum in people without immune deficiency. We excluded trials on sexually transmitted molluscum contagiosum and in people with immune deficiency (including those with HIV infection).

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed methodological quality, and extracted data from selected studies. We obtained missing data from study authors where possible.

Main results: We found 11 new studies for this update, resulting in 22 included studies with a total of 1650 participants. The studies examined the effects of topical (20 studies) and systemic interventions (2 studies).Among the new included studies were the full trial reports of three large unpublished studies, brought to our attention by an expert in the field. They all provided moderate-quality evidence for a lack of effect of 5% imiquimod compared to vehicle (placebo) on short-term clinical cure (4 studies, 850 participants, 12 weeks after start of treatment, risk ratio (RR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92 to 1.93), medium-term clinical cure (2 studies, 702 participants, 18 weeks after start of treatment, RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.14), and long-term clinical cure (2 studies, 702 participants, 28 weeks after start of treatment, RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.17). We found similar but more certain results for short-term improvement (4 studies, 850 participants, 12 weeks after start of treatment, RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.47; high-quality evidence). For the outcome 'any adverse effect', we found high-quality evidence for little or no difference between topical 5% imiquimod and vehicle (3 studies, 827 participants, RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.07), but application site reactions were more frequent in the groups treated with imiquimod (moderate-quality evidence): any application site reaction (3 studies, 827 participants, RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.77, the number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) was 11); severe application site reaction (3 studies, 827 participants, RR 4.33, 95% CI 1.16 to 16.19, NNTH over 40).For the following 11 comparisons, there was limited evidence to show which treatment was superior in achieving short-term clinical cure (low-quality evidence): 5% imiquimod less effective than cryospray (1 study, 74 participants, RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.78) and 10% potassium hydroxide (2 studies, 67 participants, RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.93); 10% Australian lemon myrtle oil more effective than olive oil (1 study, 31 participants, RR 17.88, 95% CI 1.13 to 282.72); 10% benzoyl peroxide cream more effective than 0.05% tretinoin (1 study, 30 participants, RR 2.20, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.79); 5% sodium nitrite co-applied with 5% salicylic acid more effective than 5% salicylic acid alone (1 study, 30 participants, RR 3.50, 95% CI 1.23 to 9.92); and iodine plus tea tree oil more effective than tea tree oil (1 study, 37 participants, RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.57) or iodine alone (1 study, 37 participants, RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.50). Although there is some uncertainty, 10% potassium hydroxide appears to be more effective than saline (1 study, 20 participants, RR 3.50, 95% CI 0.95 to 12.90); homeopathic calcarea carbonica appears to be more effective than placebo (1 study, 20 participants, RR 5.57, 95% CI 0.93 to 33.54); 2.5% appears to be less effective than 5% solution of potassium hydroxide (1 study, 25 participants, RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.01); and 10% povidone iodine solution plus 50% salicylic acid plaster appears to be more effective than salicylic acid plaster alone (1 study, 30 participants, RR 1.43, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.16).We found no statistically significant differences for other comparisons (most of which addressed two different topical treatments). We found no randomised controlled trial evidence for expressing lesions or topical hydrogen peroxide.Study limitations included no blinding, many dropouts, and no intention-to-treat analysis. Except for the severe application site reactions of imiquimod, none of the evaluated treatments described above were associated with serious adverse effects (low-quality evidence). Among the most common adverse events were pain during application, erythema, and itching. Included studies of the following comparisons did not report adverse effects: calcarea carbonica versus placebo, 10% povidone iodine plus 50% salicylic acid plaster versus salicylic acid plaster, and 10% benzoyl peroxide versus 0.05% tretinoin.We were unable to judge the risk of bias in most studies due to insufficient information, especially regarding concealment of allocation and possible selective reporting. We considered five studies to be at low risk of bias.

Authors' conclusions: No single intervention has been shown to be convincingly effective in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. We found moderate-quality evidence that topical 5% imiquimod was no more effective than vehicle in terms of clinical cure, but led to more application site reactions, and high-quality evidence that there was no difference between the treatments in terms of short-term improvement. However, high-quality evidence showed a similar number of general side effects in both groups. As the evidence found did not favour any one treatment, the natural resolution of molluscum contagiosum remains a strong method for dealing with the condition.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Johannes C van der Wouden: My institution has received money from the following non‐profit sources which have no real or potential vested interest in the findings of this Cochrane review: Editorial Board, Huisarts en Wetenschap (monthly journal of Dutch College of GPs); Advisory Board of Achmea Health Database (health insurance company). The funds did not come from sources that produce any of the drugs that might be included in the review or competitors to the drugs in the review.

Renske van der Sande: nothing to declare. Emma J Kruithof: nothing to declare. Annet Sollie: nothing to declare. Lisette WA van Suijlekom‐Smit: I have received a travel grant from Pfizer (American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting 2014 Boston). Sander Koning: nothing to declare.

Figures

1
1
Flow diagram of inclusion for this update.
2
2
Risk of bias table: review authors' judgements about each methodological quality item for each included study.
3
3
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical cure (after 3 and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 3 Secondary outcome: long‐term clinical cure (> 6 months after start of treatment).
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 4 Secondary outcome: short‐term clinical improvement (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 5 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical improvement (after 3 and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 6 Secondary outcome: recurrence.
1.7
1.7. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 7 Secondary outcome: any side effect.
1.8
1.8. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 8 Secondary outcome: application site reaction.
1.9
1.9. Analysis
Comparison 1 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus vehicle, Outcome 9 Secondary outcome: severe application site reaction.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus cryospray, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus cryospray, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical cure (after 3 and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus cryospray, Outcome 3 Secundary outcome: recurrence.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus 10% potassium hydroxide, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
3.2
3.2. Analysis
Comparison 3 Topical: 5% imiquimod versus 10% potassium hydroxide, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: any side effect.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Topical: 10% lemon myrtle oil versus vehicle, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5 Topical: 10% benzoyl peroxide cream versus 0.05% tretinoin cream, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
6.1
6.1. Analysis
Comparison 6 Topical: 10% potassium hydroxide versus saline, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
7.1
7.1. Analysis
Comparison 7 Topical: 2.5% potassium hydroxide versus 5% potassium hydroxide, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
7.2
7.2. Analysis
Comparison 7 Topical: 2.5% potassium hydroxide versus 5% potassium hydroxide, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: short‐term improvement (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
8.1
8.1. Analysis
Comparison 8 Topical: 10% potassium hydroxide versus 14% salicylic acid + 14% lactic acid, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
9.1
9.1. Analysis
Comparison 9 Topical: 10% potassium hydroxide versus curettage, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
10.1
10.1. Analysis
Comparison 10 Topical 10% potassium hydroxide versus cryotherapy, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
10.2
10.2. Analysis
Comparison 10 Topical 10% potassium hydroxide versus cryotherapy, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: short‐term clinical improvement (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
11.1
11.1. Analysis
Comparison 11 Topical: 10% povidone iodine versus 50% salicylic acid plaster, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
12.1
12.1. Analysis
Comparison 12 Topical: 10% povidone iodine alone versus 10% povidone iodine and 50% salicylic plaster, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
13.1
13.1. Analysis
Comparison 13 Topical: 10% povidone iodine and 50% salicylic acid plaster versus 50% salicylic plaster alone, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
14.1
14.1. Analysis
Comparison 14 Topical: 0.7% cantharidin versus vehicle, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment)..
15.1
15.1. Analysis
Comparison 15 Topical: 5% sodium nitrite in 5% salicylic acid versus 5% salicylic acid alone, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
16.1
16.1. Analysis
Comparison 16 Topical: 12% salicylic acid versus 70% alcohol, Outcome 1 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical cure (after 3 and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
17.1
17.1. Analysis
Comparison 17 Topical: 12% salicylic acid versus 10% phenol/70% alcohol, Outcome 1 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical cure (after 3 and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
18.1
18.1. Analysis
Comparison 18 Topical: 14% salicylic acid + 14% lactic acid versus curettage, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
19.1
19.1. Analysis
Comparison 19 Topical: 70% alcohol versus 10% phenol/70% alcohol, Outcome 1 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical cure (after 3 and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
20.1
20.1. Analysis
Comparison 20 Topical: iodine versus tea tree oil, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
20.2
20.2. Analysis
Comparison 20 Topical: iodine versus tea tree oil, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: improvement (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
21.1
21.1. Analysis
Comparison 21 Topical: iodine versus tea tree oil combined with iodine, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
21.2
21.2. Analysis
Comparison 21 Topical: iodine versus tea tree oil combined with iodine, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: improvement (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
22.1
22.1. Analysis
Comparison 22 Topical: tea tree oil versus tea tree oil combined with iodine, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
22.2
22.2. Analysis
Comparison 22 Topical: tea tree oil versus tea tree oil combined with iodine, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: improvement (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
23.1
23.1. Analysis
Comparison 23 Systemic: cimetidine versus placebo, Outcome 1 Secondary outcome: medium‐term clinical cure (after 3 months and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
23.2
23.2. Analysis
Comparison 23 Systemic: cimetidine versus placebo, Outcome 2 Secondary outcome: medium‐term improvement (after 3 months and up to 6 months after start of treatment).
24.1
24.1. Analysis
Comparison 24 Systemic: calcarea carbonica versus placebo, Outcome 1 Primary outcome: short‐term clinical cure (up to 3 months after start of treatment).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

References

References to studies included in this review

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Paller 2005b {unpublished data only}
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Saryazdi 2004 {published data only}
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Metkar 2008 {published data only}
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Sadick 2009 {published data only}
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MeSH terms