Intralesional Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for multiple non-genital viral warts

Background: The majority of treatment options available for warts are destructive with some limitations to their utility, especially in the setting of multiple lesions. Accordingly, there is a need for other treatment options. Immunotherapy is a promising method for such cases. Intralesional administration of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is one of the immunotherapeutic methods. It was intended to display the results of BCG immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple non- genital warts in a group of patients at Al-Karak Government Hospital.   Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional BCG vaccine in the treatment of non-genital multiple warts in a group of our patients at Al-Karak Government Hospital.   Methods: A total number of 15 immunocompetent patients with non-genital multiple warts, with an age range of (12-39) years were included. Intralesional BCG vaccine was injected into the largest wart at 0, 4 and 8 weeks. Patients were followed up every 4 weeks for a total of 6 months   Results: Complete response was noted in 12 patients after 4-16 weeks of the first injection, while 3 cases displayed a partial response. Few local and transient reaction were seen. No serious side effects were encountered.   Limitations: The results are based on a small sample size (15 cases) and there was no control group for comparison.   Conclusion: Immunotherapy with intralesional BCG vaccine is an effective and safe treatment option for immunocompetent patients with non-genital multiple warts.