Follicular molluscum contagiosum

Four cases are reported in which atypical molluscum contagiosum lesions were found, arising from follicular epithelium. All the patients were adults and two had a history of atopic dermatitis. Histology showed intradermal nodules containing typical molluscum cells but lacking normal direct communication to the skin surface. This is the first description of true follicular involvement in molluscum contagiosum.