Study involving treatments of warts- some multiple and recalcitrant (mean ~8 months), found a 81% cure rates (versus 27.5% in control saline injection group) with intralesional injections of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print]
Intralesional immunotherapy of common warts: successful treatment with mumps, measles and rubella vaccine.
Nofal A, Nofal E. abstract here
- Tested for existing immunity by intrademalinjection of 0.1 mL of MMR vaccine (Trimovax Merieux-Aventis) into the skin of the forearm. Positive reaction = 5 mm+ erythema and induration by 48–72 h. Only reactors were used.
- they refer to an article re injection technique – this article stated “0.3 mL injected with test site induration of 5 to 20 mm, 0.2 mL injected with test site induration of 21 to 40 mm, and 0.1 mL with test site induration of greater than 40 mm. Only the largest wart, based on surface area, was treated in patients with multiple warts.”
- Injections were every 2 weeks until resolved – looked like some big ones took 3-4 shots.
- Injections hurt 85.7% and flu-like symptoms in 8.6%. No recurrence in MMR group.
Comment – wow – a simple, inexpensive treatment. Let us not forget 60% of warts will respond to one month of zinc supplementation mentioned here:
Zinc and Magnesium Deficiency Common in Fibromyaglia- and What are Zn and Mg Good For?