Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A (2017)

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intra-lesional BCG (bacille calmette guerin) immunotherapy in treatment of recalcitrant warts in immunocompetent patients.

Materials and methods: After an informed written consent and routine investigations, 0.1 ml of reconstituted BCG vaccine was injected into the oldest and the largest wart. Patients were evaluated every 2 weeks and were followed up for a period of 6 months. A grading scale was used to assess the response.

Statistical analysis used: The results obtained were statistically analysed and Z test was applied to calculate the significance of the visible difference between palmoplanter warts and common warts.

Results: 46 out of 50 patients completed the study. 80.43% patients (37/46) had multiple warts. 86.66% patients of palmoplanter warts (26/30) showed complete resolution of warts at the end of 6 weeks, 13.33% patients (4/30) showed partial response and none of the patients in this group were non-responders. 60% patients (6/10) of common warts showed complete response and 40% patients (4/10) were non-responders in this group. All the patients (n=4) of periungual warts showed 100% clearance at 3 months. Pain at the injection site (100% [46]), erythema (78.26% [36]), fever (76.08% [35]) and secondary infection (2.17% [1]) were the main adverse events noted.

Conclusion: BCG immunotherapy is a cheap, safe, effective and easily available therapeutic option which can be easily used in day to day practice.