Intralesional purified protein derivative versus zinc sulfate 2% in the treatment of pediatric warts: Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation.

BACKGROUND

Warts are common in children and can be difficult to treat. Many treatments for warts are destructive and painful in contrast to intralesional immunotherapy using different types of antigens.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intralesional purified protein derivative (PPD) versus intralesional zinc sulfate 2% in the treatment of pediatric warts.

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial included 120 children with multiple warts divided into two equal groups. Group Ⅰ received intralesional 10 IU (0.1 ml) of PPD, group Ⅱ received intralesional zinc sulfate 2% in the largest wart every 2 weeks till improvement or for a maximum five treatment sessions. The follow-up period was 6 months after the last treatment session.

RESULTS

The overall response was equal in both groups (81.7%), but the response of the injected wart was higher in the zinc sulfate group (93.4%) versus PPD group (83.3%) with no significant difference. The highest cure rates were after the 5th session in the PPD group and the 1st session in the zinc sulfate group with slightly lower numbers of sessions needed for cure in the zinc sulfate group (3 sessions) versus the PPD group (4 sessions). The zinc sulfate group showed statistically significant higher rates of complications (pain, inflammation, necrosis, and scar) than PPD group. The zinc sulfate group showed non-significant higher rates of recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Both intralesional PPD and zinc sulfate 2% are effective in pediatric warts with higher safety profile of PPD.