Evaluation of efficacy of an intralesional injection of Candida antigen in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum

Background Different treatment modalities are available for molluscum contagiosum (MC). However, these modalities are often traumatic for children and associated with frequent recurrence. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intralesional injection of Candida antigen in the treatment of MC. Patients and methods Sixteen patients with multiple MC lesions were subjected to intralesional immunotherapy with 0.3 ml of Candida albicans antigen after previous intradermal skin testing for existing immunity. Also, 16 MC patients were subjected to an intralesional neutral saline injection as a control group. All injections were administered at 2 week intervals for a maximum of five injections or clinical cure. Results Complete clearance of lesions was detected in 50% of patients in the Candida group, with no recurrence after 3 months of follow-up. In addition, a partial response was detected in 25% of the patients. However, in the control group, 87.5% of the patients showed no response and 12.5% showed a partial response, with a highly significant difference in the clinical response between the two groups (Po .001). Mild side effects were noted. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that intralesional immunotherapy with Candida antigen is an effective and safe treatment modality in MC especially for children with numerous lesions. It has the advantages of lack of scarring and blistering and is well tolerated by children.