A short, 8-week course of imiquimod 5% cream versus podophyllotoxin in the treatment of anogenital warts: A retrospective comparative cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies comparing head-to-head treatment modalities for anogenital warts are lacking. AIM: We sought to compare a short, 8-week course of imiquimod 5% cream to versus the standard 4 week course of podophyllotoxin in the treatment of anogenital warts and to assess factors that may affect response to treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. We reviewed medical files of otherwise healthy patients with a first episode of anogenital warts who were treated with either a short, 8-week course of imiquimod or the standard 4-week course of podophyllotoxin. Inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW). Logistic regression was employed to evaluate factors that may affect response to therapy. RESULTS: The study included 347 patients. In patients with lesions on dry, keratinized anatomical sites, the complete clearance rates were 7.6% for imiquimod and 27.9% for podophyllotoxin (P < 0.001). In patients with lesions on moist, partially keratinized sites, no difference between the treatments was revealed. Significant predictors of > 50% reduction in wart area were location of lesions [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 3.6 (1.84-7.08), P = 0.0002] for "partially keratinized" versus "keratinized" sites and treatment used [OR (95% CI): 1.79 (1.08-2.97), P = 0.024] for podophyllotoxin versus imiquimod. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design of the study was a limitation that we mitigated against with the use of IPTW logistic regression. CONCLUSION: A standard 4 week course of Podophyllotoxin was more effective than an 8-week course of imiquimod only for lesions on keratinized sites. Treatment with podophyllotoxin and location of lesions on partially keratinized sites were independent predictors of >50% reduction in wart area.

Human papillomaviruses vaccine: a dermatologic perspective.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are responsible for both benign anogenital warts and malignant disease in humans, especially cervical cancer. Dermatologists in India recognize a great many cases of anogenital warts, and afflicted individuals may be at increased risk of coinfection with oncogenic HPV types. For this reason, dermatologists are in a position to identify potential carriers of oncogenic HPV types in the population. By targeting these individuals and their partners, as well as unaffected individuals for vaccination with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, dermatologists have the ability to impact the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer in India.

Vaccines for human papillomavirus infection: a critical analysis.

This article takes a critical look at the pros and cons of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. There is enough evidence to suggest that the prophylactic vaccines are efficacious in preventing various benign and malignant conditions (including cervical cancers) caused by HPV. Even though the vaccine is costly, hypothetical analysis has shown that HPV vaccination will be cost effective in the long run. Therapeutic HPV vaccines used to treat established disease are still undergoing evaluation in clinical studies, and results seem to be encouraging. Although several countries have started mandatory vaccination programs with the prophylactic HPV vaccines, conservatives have voiced concerns regarding the moral impact of such vaccination programs.

Human papillomavirus and genital cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections world-wide. Low-risk HPV-types are associated with genital warts. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV-types is associated with genital cancers. Smoking and HIV infection have consistently been associated with longer duration of HPV infection and risk for genital cancer. There is an increasing incidence of anal cancers, and a close association with HPV infection has been demonstrated. Receptive anal sex and HIV-positive status are associated with a high risk for anal cancer. Two HPV vaccines are now available and offer protection from infection by the HPV-types included in the vaccine. This benefit is maximally seen in young women who were uninfected prior to vaccination.

Cutaneous manifestations in renal failure patients: a case series.

Cutaneous involvement in renal disease is due to a host of factors ranging from metabolic disturbances to immunosuppressive drugs. Herein we report a series of six cases of renal failure with varied cutaneous manifestations ranging from infections to neoplasms due to prolonged immunosuppression. Our first case had cutaneous cryptococcosis where skin lesions gave a clue to the diagnosis of altered sensorium and underlying meningitis. The second case initially presented with florid warts and was treated successfully but later presented with an explosive recurrence of skin lesions due to malignant transformation. Our third case had basal cell carcinoma over the presternal region that was successfully treated with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy. Our fourth case had diabetic nephropathy that presented with septicemia and purpura fulminans. The last case had cutaneous manifestations of drug therapy because of heparin infusion. To conclude, cutaneous manifestations in patients with renal failure are varied and a high degree of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to effectively combat mortality and morbidity.