BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) causes an innocuous yet persistent 
skin infection in immunocompetent individuals and is spread by contact with 
lesions. Studies point to atopic dermatitis (AD) as a risk factor for MCV 
infection; however, there are no longitudinal studies that have evaluated this 
hypothesis.
METHODS: Outpatient visit data from fiscal years 2001-2009 for American Indian 
and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children were examined to describe the incidence of 
molluscum contagiosum (MC). We conducted a case-control study of patients <5 
years old at an Indian Health Service (IHS) clinic to evaluate dermatological 
risk factors for infection.
RESULTS: The incidence rate for MC in children <5 years old was highest in the 
West and East regions. MC cases were more likely to have a prior or co-occurring 
diagnosis of eczema, eczema or dermatitis, impetigo, and scabies (p<0.05) 
compared to controls; 51.4% of MC cases had a prior or co-occurring diagnosis of 
eczema or dermatitis.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first demonstration of an association 
between AD and MC using a case-control study design. It is unknown if the 
concurrent high incidence of eczema and MC is related, and this association 
deserves further investigation.