Photodynamic Therapy Used to Treat an HIV Patient with an Efflorescence of Viral Warts after HAART Therapy

Healing from viral warts lesions can be hard to achieve in immunocompromised subjects like HIV-positive patients. The therapeutic target in immunocompetent subjects can be reached using different methods, including topical ointments, cryotherapy, laser therapy, imiquimod, and photodynamic therapy (PDT). We present a case of a male HIV-positive patient who came to the Dermatology department with multifocal wart lesions on his face, auricular, and retro-auricular areas after treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In our case, surprisingly, only one session of PDT proved to induce complete regression of lesions which, despite their thickness, had a much more robust response to treatment than we could have possibly expected. After a brief review of the literature, it is possible to state that PDT revealed itself to be a valid option in immunocompromised patients who have a major risk of relapse.

Automated summary

Healing viral warts in immunocompromised patients is difficult, but immunocompetent patients can be treated with various methods like topical ointments, cryotherapy, laser therapy, imiquimod, and photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT has been found to be a valid option for immunocompromised patients, who are at a higher risk of relapse.