Evaluating the Role of Topical Immunomodulators for Molluscum Contagiosum: A Review

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus. The condition can persist for years due to viral immune evasion mechanisms, leading to significant physical and psychosocial impacts.

This review aimed to evaluate topical immunomodulators for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, focusing on their mechanisms, administration methods, clinical safety, and efficacy.

A literature search conducted using Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Medline identified five topical immune-stimulating therapies: tretinoin, adapalene, diphencyprone, imiquimod, and berdazimer sodium. While imiquimod is no longer recommended and larger-scale studies are warranted to assess the role of tretinoin, adapalene, and diphencyprone; berdazimer sodium has received FDA approval for molluscum contagiosum treatment.

The mechanisms underlying topical immunomodulators remain elusive, and long-term comprehensive studies are required to evaluate their effectiveness across diverse presentations of molluscum contagiosum.