Intralesional Candida Antigen Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Recalcitrant and Multiple Warts in Children

• Published in: Pediatric dermatology Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 797 - 801
• Main Authors: Muñoz Garza, Fania Z., Roé Crespo, Esther, Torres Pradilla, Mauricio, Aguilera Peirò, Paula, Baltà Cruz, Susana, Hernández Ruiz, María Eugenia, Baselga Torres, Eulàlia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-11-2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Antigens, Fungal - administration & dosage; Candida - immunology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunotherapy - adverse effects; Immunotherapy - methods; Injections, Intralesional; Male; Patient Safety; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sex Factors; Treatment Outcome; Warts - diagnosis; Warts - therapy
• ISSN: 0736-8046; 1525-1470
• DOI: 10.1111/pde.12667

Background
Intralesional injection of Candida antigen appears to be an effective alternative for the treatment of warts.
Aim
To determine the efficacy and safety of this treatment.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed records of all children who received intralesional injection of Candida antigen at our center from January 2008 to July 2013.
Results
From a total of 220 patients, 156 (70.9%) had a complete response, 37 (16.8%) had a partial response, and 27 (12.2%) had no improvement. An average of 2.73 treatments was needed. Forty‐seven of the patients with more than one wart (21.3%) also noted at least partial resolution of untreated warts at distant sites. Twenty‐seven of the 47 patients (57.4%) had complete resolution. All treated patients experienced some discomfort at the time of the injection, but no serious side effects were reported.
Discussion
We report our results using this approach in a large group of children.
Conclusion
Intralesional injection of Candida antigen is an effective and safe therapy for children with multiple and recalcitrant cutaneous warts.