Treating Viral Warts with Tuberculosis-derived Proteins ?
In this Indian study, protein samples of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (similar to the one used in the Mantoux screening test) were used:
- PPD – purified derivative of M.Tuberculosis
- 10IU PPD 0,1ml
- indication: facial and palmoplantar warts or more than 15 (no mention of genital warts)
- 2.5 IU (or TU: Tuberculin Units) on left forearm
- 2.5 IU intralesional
- 4 treatments sessions spaced by 2 or three weeks. Treatment was continued even if the lesions had cleared.
Assessment was done visually an was graded as: excellent response (90-100%), partial response (10-90) or no response (0-10%)
Results:
- 41 patients were included in the study, 6 defaulted during the study
- Total clearance was observed 30 of 35 patients (85%)
- adverse events:
- swelling in 1 subject
- lip edema in 1 subject
- eczema in 1 subject
- systemic reaction in 1 subject (not otherwise specified)
Comment: a possible therapy which needs to be assessed in a prospective RCT.
Contributors
Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland
Source of information: p332 immunotherapy using PPD in the treatment of warts. Saoji V et al. EADV Annual Meeting, Amsterdam The Netherlands
