Effects of psoriasis treatment on genital warts: a case report. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campoli, Marco; Cinotti, Elisa; Fimiani, Michele; Pellegrino, Michele; Tognetti, Linda; Rubegni, Pietro
• Is Part Of: International journal of STD & AIDS. Volume 30:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 828
• Page End: 830
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Treatment -- women -- genital warts -- viral disease -- human papillomavirus -- viral disease; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; 616.951
• DOI: 10.1177/0956462419833218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-4624

Abstract

The use of immunosuppressive drugs predisposes to infections, as they block the most important stage in antiviral defense, which is the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte HLA-dependent response. We report a case of extensive genital warts in a young woman on therapy for psoriasis with cyclosporine, afterwards successfully treated with an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) agent. Cyclosporine may predispose to the reactivation of latent infections and may favor the clinical manifestations of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases, due to the inhibition of cell-mediated immunity that plays a crucial role in controlling HPV infections. In the literature the relationship between HPV and TNF-blockers has not yet been clearly defined. Our case underlines that the prompt interruption of cyclosporine can induce a complete regression of warts without any additional treatment and adds evidence to the possible use of anti-TNF-α in patients with psoriasis and genital warts.