A comparative clinico-dermoscopic study of intralesional injection of combined digoxin and furosemide, Candida antigen, and vitamin D3 for multiple warts

Abstract

Background: Immunostimulatory and antiproliferative therapies have been widely used for the treatment of multiple warts. Recently, anti-HPV activity of ionic contra viral therapy (ICVT) which is comprised of combined digoxin and furosemide has been demonstrated. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of intralesional injection of Candida antigen, vitamin D3, and combined digoxin and furosemide in the treatment of multiple warts. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five patients with numerous warts were randomly assigned to one of three equal groups: Candida antigen, vitamin D3, or a combination of digoxin and furosemide. In the Candida antigen group, injections into the biggest wart were done. In the vitamin D3 and combined digoxin/furosemide groups, the agent was injected into each wart with a maximum of five injected warts. Injections were repeated every 2 weeks until clearance or for a total of five sessions. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the overall therapeutic response among the studied groups in favor of the intralesional Candida antigen group (60%), followed by the vitamin D3 group (48%) and the ionic contraviral therapy group (28%) (p = 0.02). However, the difference between both Candida antigen and vitamin D groups was not significant (p = 0.59). Conclusions: Intralesional Candida antigen immunotherapy and vitamin D3 antiproliferative therapy are significantly more effective than ICVT. Limitations: Short follow-up period and relatively small sample size.