RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Molluscum contagiosum in Dutch general practice. JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 417 OP 419 VO 44 IS 386 A1 S Koning A1 M A Bruijnzeels A1 L W van Suijlekom-Smit A1 J C van der Wouden YR 1994 UL http://bjgp.org/content/44/386/417.abstract AB BACKGROUND: While molluscum contagiosum is considered to be a frequently encountered disease, few data on its incidence are known. AIM: The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of molluscum contagiosum in Dutch general practice and to assess the importance of venereal molluscum contagiosum. METHOD: Data were taken from the national survey of morbidity and interventions in general practice, drawn from 103 practices across the Netherlands, with a study population of 332300. RESULTS: The infection appeared to be common in childhood (cumulative incidence 17% in those aged under 15 years); the adult, sexually transmitted, form was rare. Incidence was higher between January and June than between July and December. Cases were unequally divided between recording practices, which is though to have been caused by the occurrence of small epidemics. CONCLUSION: The incidence of molluscum contagiosum in Dutch general practice was found to be 2.4 per 1000 person years. Molluscum contagiosum should still be considered as a mainly paediatric disease.