Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as an intralesional immunotherapy in treatment of warts

Abstract

Background: To observe the efficacy and safety of intralesional Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the treatment of warts. Methods: 50 patients with single or multiple warts more than 06 months duration in all age groups were included in the study. The patients received intralesional MMR vaccine 0.5ml into a single wart or the largest wart in case of multiple lesions at interval of two weeks for three treatments. The response was evaluated as 0-49% as no response, 50-99% as partial response and 100% as complete response. Follow up was made every 02 weeks for 06 weeks and then monthly for 06 months to detect any recurrence. Results: Complete response was seen in 36 (72%), partial response in 08 (16%) and no response in 06 (12%) patients. No recurrence was observed. Pain at the site of injection in 18 (36%) and flu like symptoms in 02 (04%) patients were observed. Conclusions: Intralesional immunotherapy with MMR vaccine was found to be a simple, effective, and safe treatment for warts. This study proved to be cost effective as patients can be treated with just 03 doses of MMR vaccine given at the interval of two weeks.