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Case Reports
. 2019 Feb 26;11(1):52-56.
doi: 10.1159/000497349. eCollection 2019 Jan-Apr.

Generalized Molluscum Contagiosum Successfully Treated with Interferon-Alpha in a Patient with Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides

Rutger C Melchers  1 , Rein Willemze  1 , Patricia M Jansen  2 , Joost S P Vermaat  3 , Maarten H Vermeer  1 , Koen D Quint  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Generalized Molluscum Contagiosum Successfully Treated with Interferon-Alpha in a Patient with Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides

Rutger C Melchers et al. Case Rep Dermatol. .

Abstract

We present the case of a 50-year-old patient with folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) unresponsive to retinoids and the chemotherapeutic regimens CHOP, gemcitabine, and brentuximab-vedotin. During immunosuppressive therapy, the patient developed extensive progressive molluscum contagiosum. The mollusca did not respond to topical imiquimod but showed a swift complete response to interferon-alpha 2a (IFNa). Recently, the patient started with alemtuzumab as induction therapy for an allogenic stem cell transplantation and simultaneously continued IFNa therapy.

Keywords: Folliculotropic; Interferon alpha; Molluscum contagiosum; Mycosis fungoides.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Clinical images of the patient. a Alopecia and generalized erythematosquamous patches on the trunk. b Tumorous lesions on the neck and face.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Histopathologic images. a HE stain 100×, folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: atypical lymphocytes infiltrating the epithelial layer of the hair follicle. b HE stain 100×, molluscum contagiosum: central umbilication and epidermal hyperplasia. The keratinocytes contain a large intracytoplasmic inclusion compressing the nucleus.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Clinical images. a Before therapy with IFNa. b During therapy. c After 2 months of therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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