Tratamiento tópico con cantaridina de moluscos contagiosos

Abstract

Abstract—Introduction. Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection for which there is no specific antiviral therapy. Curettage or cryotherapy treatments are very effective, but the pain and emotional trauma involved limit their use. In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reinstated cantharidin among the treatments to be applied by the dermatologist during office visits. There are no publications regarding the use of cantharidin in European countries. Material and MethodsIn 2001, we treated 28 patients with molluscum contagiosum in our department by applying 0.7% cantharidin in flexible collodion. Results28 patients were included, 15 females and 13 males between the ages of 3 and 43, in two well differentiated groups: 21 aged less than 12 years (average 6) and seven aged more than 20 (average 29). The disease had been developing for periods ranging from 3 weeks to 2 years, with an average of 5.7 months. The total number of lesions varied from 1 to 53, with an average of 16 lesions. The most frequent locations were the trunk (11 cases) and limbs (upper limbs 8, lower limbs 8). There were 6 cases with lesions in the genital/groin area, four in the axillae and three on the face/neck. Two patients were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 26 were cured after one to five treatments (average 1.96). Twelve patients (46 %) needed only one session of treatment with cantharidin, eight (31 %) needed two sessions, and six (23 %) required three or more.With regard to side effects, 89 % (26/29) presented with vesiculation, and 73 % (19/26) with inflammation, which was generally slight (14/19). Also common were pruritus (9/29), minor pain (discomfort in 10/29) and hypopigmentation (10/29), which appeared in 33% of the cases. The degree of satisfaction was high or very high in 88% of the cases (23/26) for the patients, 87 % (20/23) for the parents and 81% (22/27) for the physician. In no case was it low or very low. ConclusionsCantharidin is a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum whose main advantage over cryotherapy and curettage is the lack of discomfort during its application.