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MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM IN VILLAGES OF THE WEST SEPIK DISTRICT OF NEW GUINEA
Author(s) -
Sturt R. J.,
Muller H. K.,
Francis G. D.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1971.tb92526.x
Subject(s) - molluscum contagiosum , new guinea , epidemiology , medicine , indirect immunofluorescence , antibody , immunology , history , ethnology
An epidemiological study of 3,500 villagers in the West Sepik district of New Guinea over eight years has revealed a high prevalence of molluscum contagiosum: 401 cases were observed, males and females being equally affected. The age range of infection was three months to 57 years, but 93% of patients were aged less than 10 years, and the peak age was two years. An attack rate of 6% per year was calculated for children aged under 10 years. Spontaneous regression of lesions occurred after about 18 months. Specific humoral antibodies to molluscum contagiosum lesions were demonstrated by the immunofluorescence technique in the sera of infected and previously infected children. The study indicates that circulating antibodies persist for years after infection.