The role of vaccinia virus vaccination in protection against molluscum contagiosum infection

الملخص EN

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is classified within the Poxvirus family in a specific genus, the molluscipox and has features intermediate between the orthopox and parapox groups.

The virus occurs throughout the world, most commonly causing disease in childhood.

Infection with MCV is worldwide.

Three groups are primarily affected: young children, sexually active adults, and immunosuppressed persons, especially those with HIV infection.

Vaccinia virus vaccination protect against smallpox infection.

The aim of this across secessional study was to assess the role of vaccinia virus vaccination in the protection against molluscum contagiosum infection.

Three hundred patients (165 male, 135 female) with molluscum contagiosum were included in this study their ages ranged from 1 to 80 years with a mean of 28.91 years ±19.53SD.

The patients were divided in two groups, the 1st group including the age of the patients less than thirty five years.

The 2nd group includes those patients equal and more than thirty five years.

Complete history was taken regarding the age and sex and history of the recurrence of the same lesions.

Complete physical examination was done including vaccinia vaccine scar, and BCG scar.

1st group those patient were their age less than 35 years were 150 patients with mean 8.38 years ±7.97 SD which they already were unvaccinated with vaccinia virus vaccine, while in 2nd group which those patients were their age 35 years and older were also 150 patients with mean 46 years ±7.88SD.

110 (73.33%) patients of these group were unvaccinated with vaccinia virus vaccine, while the others 40 (26.66%) patients of these group were vaccinia virus vaccination scar positive, P value less than 0.001( highly significant).

BCG scar was found in 145 (96.66%) patients and the other 5 (3.33%) patients had negative BCG scar in group 1st group, while in 2nd group the BCG scar was found in 98 (65.

33 %) patients, p value less than 0.0001 ; confidence interval 95 % = ( 0.2245, 0.4021) and the other 52(34.

66 %) patients were had negative BCG scar.

History of the recurrence of the lesions were found in 51(34 %) patients in the 1st group, while the recurrence of the lesions were found in 41 (27.

33 %) patients in the 2nd group, p value more than 0.

05 not significant, confidence interval 95 % = (- 0.

0377, 0.

1710).

The result of the 2nd group was subdivided in to two groups, A and B.

Group A those unvaccinated with vaccinia virus vaccine patients with age equal and more than 35 years which were 30 (20 %) patients, while group B patients with age equal and more than 35 years with positive vaccinia virus scar which were 11 (7.

33 %) patients, p value was 0.

003 which is significant.

According to our knowledge, this study may be the first study in Iraq showed that the vaccinia virus vaccine may have the protective effect in the prevention of molluscum contagiosum and decrease recurrence rate of this infection.