RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Homologous autoinoculation is a novel minimally invasive procedure that treats warts by stimulating specific immune response. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of autoinoculation in treatment of multiple recalcitrant warts of different types in relation to patient's age, gender, type, number, size, and duration of warts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with multiple recalcitrant warts of different types were treated with one autoinoculation session. Each patient was subjected to history taking, general and dermatological examination, and photographic documentation before and after treatment. Patients were followed up after 1 week, 2, 12, and 16 weeks to assess possible side effects, treatment response, and recurrence rate, respectively. Evaluation of treatment response was done through physician assessment according to change in size or number of warts or both. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of procedure, 66% of patients showed complete clearance, 26% showed moderate clearance, and 4% showed mild clearance while only 1.5% of patients showed treatment failure, with negligible side effects and no recurrence. There was negative correlation between treatment response and wart duration (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Autoinoculation is effective in treating multiple recalcitrant warts irrespective of their type, number or size, with minimal complications and no recurrence. The longer wart duration is, the less treatment response will be achieved.
