Korean J Dermatol.  2021 Jul;59(6):434-439.

Intralesional Purified Protein Derivative Immunotherapy for Warts: A Clinical Study

• Choi H
• Kim YI
• Na CH
• Kim MS
• Shin BS

Abstract

Background
Warts are epidermal growths caused by the human papillomavirus and are commonly observed in dermatology practice. Intralesional immunotherapy is shown to be effective for treatment of warts. However, to date, no study has reported immunotherapy for warts using intralesional purified protein derivative (PPD).
Objective
In this clinical study, we report immunotherapy for warts using intralesional PPD.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 81 patients with warts, who were treated with immunotherapy using intralesional PPD. All patients underwent 6 treatment sessions at 2-week intervals. Two skilled dermatologists evaluated the treatment outcomes based on a review of medical records and clinical photographs obtained after 6 treatment sessions. The treatment response was classified based on reduction in the size and number of warts as follows: complete response (CR, 100%), partial response (PR, ＞50%), and no response (NR, ＜50%).
Results
Of the 81 patients investigated in this study, 55 (67.9%) showed a CR and PR with regard to the size and number of warts. The response to therapy was classified as better than a PR in 61 of 81 patients (75.3%) with warts at the site of injection and in 38 of 69 patients (55.1%) with warts at distant sites. Four patients (4.9%) developed painful swelling and bullae that resolved within 1 week of treatment.
Conclusion
Immunotherapy using intralesional PPD is an effective and safe treatment modality for warts. Although less effective for distant warts, it may be a useful therapeutic alternative for warts with NR to other treatments.

Keyword

Immunotherapy; Intralesional injections; Tuberculin; Warts