Evaluation of intralesional Candida antigen in diabetic patients with multiple warts.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of warts in diabetic patients with ablative modalities poses a significant risk owing to increased possibility of secondary infection, slow healing, and recurrence. Intralesional immunotherapy has gained popularity in the treatment of warts due to its proven efficacy and good tolerability compared with destructive methods. AIM: To evaluate the intralesional Candida antigen injection for the treatment of multiple warts in diabetic patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: Fifty diabetic patients with multiple genital/nongenital warts were divided into two groups. The first group (30 patients) received intralesional Candida antigen, and the second group (20 patients) had intralesional saline as control. The treatments were injected into the largest wart every 2 weeks until complete clearance of warts or for a maximum of five sessions. RESULTS: Complete clearance of warts was observed in 80% of the diabetic patients in the Candida antigen group compared with 15% in the control group (P < .001). Side effects to Candida antigen included pain during injection in all patients, flu-like symptoms, and localized reaction at the injection site in few patients. CONCLUSION: Intralesional Candida antigen injection can be a promising effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of warts in diabetic patients.