title: BCG vaccine for immunotherapy in warts: is it really safe in a tuberculosis endemic area?
abstract: Management of recurrent and or recalcitrant warts can be a therapeutic challenge and in such cases invoking body's own immunity may help to overcome the present episode and also prevent recurrences. Bacilli Calmette Geurin (BCG) immunotherapy has long been considered to be an effective and safe modality in such cases. We present a series of seven cases treated with BCG immunotherapy wherein a single dose of BCG caused regression of wart in 85.7% patients and complete resolution was evident in 28.6% patients. However, the development of adverse effects precluded any further dosages in four of seven (57.1%) patients. This raises serious concern on the safety of this therapeutic modality, especially in a population endemic to tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology & STD, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi 110095, India.
authors.forename: Deepashree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daulatabad
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology & STD, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi 110095, India.
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pandhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology & STD, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi 110095, India.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014860:Warts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine
keywords: BCG; BCGitis; immunotherapy; recalcitrant wart