Common warts: immunity as a result of therapy.

Warts that don't regress frequently have wart cell specific immune globulin M(IgM), but no wart virus specific Immune Globulin M (IgM) in the circulatory system. Warts that regress spontaneously have multiple circulating antibodies-wart cell specific IgM, IgG, and IgA. When the antibodies of IgG class appear in the circulation, the warts will commonly disappear. Topical application of cell toxic, irritant materials will elicit discernible amounts of virus specific IgM and IgG. Those B Cells which produce IgG have a "computer bank memory" and IgG should be recalled if wart virus antigen reappears as a result of reinfection. Therefore, persistent, consistent, topical application of irritant modalities to warts that will cause them to regress and disappear, should confer immunity on the individual through the production of wart virus specific IgG. Over a seven-year span 150 cases of wart were cleared in our office by an irritant method. In that group of cases there were eight recurrences. Two cases cleared spontaneously within two weeks, and four cleared with an acute inflammatory response within a few days of reirritation.