title: Combination topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum with cantharidin and imiquimod 5% in children: a case series of 16 patients.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy for molluscum contagiosum (MC) with topical cantharidin and imiquimod 5%. A prospective case series of 16 paediatric patients with a mean age of 4.8 years had cantharidin applied to lesions by a dermatologist, followed by home treatment with imiquimod 5% cream nightly for an average of 5 weeks. This regimen resulted in >90% of lesions clearing in 12 patients, with half of these being totally clear. Two patients had 80-90% of lesions resolve. Two patients had 30-50% clearance of lesions at the end of the treatment period. One patient found the cantharidin reaction too strong. The mean number of imiquimod 250 mg sachets used was 4.25. In conclusion, this study suggests that combination therapy using cantharidin and imiquimod for treatment of MC in children is effective and well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 5052, Australia.
authors.forename: Gayle L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Orchard
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002193:Cantharidin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D002193:Cantharidin; D000077271:Imiquimod