Success of Intralesional Purified Protein Derivative Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Anogenital Warts: A Case Report

Abstract

Anogenital warts (AGW) are among the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The condition may be persistent, increase in size and number, and have a high recurrence rate. There are many therapeutic options of AGW, but none of them prevented recurrence, only yielded partial responses and have the propensity to cause scars. Immunotherapy by purified protein derivative (PPD) is one of the therapeutic options for AGW, which effectively reduces the number of lesions until complete clearance, with minimal side effects and less recurrence rate. This case report aims to demonstrate the effectiveness, safety, and low recurrence rate of intralesional PPD injection as an alternative therapy for AGW. We reported one case of AGW in an immunocompetent 30-year- old homosexual man who was given 3 doses of 0.2 mL PPD injected intralesionally. As a result, clinical improvement was observed starting from the 18th day, with some of the lesions decreasing in size, and on the 46th day, all of the lesions disappeared. There was no significant side effect. Within two years of follow-up, no recurrence was observed. Intralesional injection of PPD can stimulate the immune response against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection both on the injection site and distant from the injection site. Previous studies have shown promising results of intralesional PPD, with low recurrence in over six-month follow-up and no side effects. Intralesional injection of PPD can be considered as an alternative therapy due to its minimal side effects and its long-term low recurrence rate.