[A zinc sulfate and usnic acid preparation used as post-surgical adjuvant therapy in genital lesions by Human Papillomavirus].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravaginal administration of a zinc sulphate and usnic acid compound as adjuvant therapy of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genital infection, after radiosurgical treatment (RS).


METHODS
One hundred patients affected by HPV genital infection were enrolled in the study from October 1996 to July 1998. Patients were classified according to colposcopic and cytologic criteria and treated with RS. Patients were randomized into three groups: the first group did not follow any therapy after RS (control group), (n = 50); the second group was pharmacologically treated with intravaginal administration of a usnic acid and zinc sulphate compound (Zeta N, Bergamon Italia) before and after RS (n = 25), the third group was pharmacologically treated only after RS (n = 25). The last two groups were considered together for the statistical analysis. Patients were reevaluated after one, two, three and six months from electrocoagulation. The safety of treatment was also investigated.


RESULTS
One month after RS. HPV lesions disappeared in 93% of the patients in the control group and in 100% of patients treated with usnic acid and zinc sulphate. After one month, reepithelization was complete in 65% of cases treated with usnic acid and zinc sulphate and in only 28% of the control group (p = 0.001). Two months later reepithelization was 94% in the patients pharmacologically treated compared to 76% of the control group (p = 0.06). Treatment prior to RS resulted in a reduction of the overall area of lesions in 88% of cases. Three months after RS, there was a significant reduction of recurrence in the group treated with usnic acid and zinc sulphate (p = 0.01). This reduction was still significant at six months (p = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Usnic acid and zinc sulphate adjuvant treatment improved time of reepithelization and reduce the recurrence with few side effects and a good compliance.
Scirpa
P
P
Istituto di Clinica Ginecologica ed Ostetrica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma.
Scambia
G
G
Masciullo
V
V
Battaglia
F
F
Foti
E
E
Lopez
R
R
Villa
P
P
Malecore
M
M
Mancuso
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001252:Astringents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016634:Radiosurgery; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001252:Astringents; D001572:Benzofurans; C073339:usnic acid; D019287:Zinc Sulfate