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Case Reports
. 2025 Jan 23:18:241-244.
doi: 10.2147/CCID.S504378. eCollection 2025.

Local Hyperthermia Combined With Imiquimod Cleared Recalcitrant and Extensive Warts in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Gai-Hua Wang #  1 , Yang-Bin Wang #  2   3 , Yue-Ai Cheng  1 , Hong-Duo Chen  2   3 , Xing-Hua Gao  2   3 , Rui-Qun Qi  2   3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Local Hyperthermia Combined With Imiquimod Cleared Recalcitrant and Extensive Warts in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Gai-Hua Wang et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. .

Abstract

Viral warts, a common dermatological condition caused by human papillomavirus infection (HPV) infection, present a particular challenge for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients due to their compromised immunity, which increases the susceptibility to HPV infection and complicates treatment efforts. Imiquimod, an immunomodulatory agent, has demonstrated efficacy in managing warts. Furthermore, local hyperthermia, a non-invasive therapeutic modality, has demonstrated significant potential in the management of warts. We report the case of a SLE patient developed recalcitrant and extensive viral warts on limbs. We applied hyperthermia at 45 °C on a target lesion for 1 hour / day with imiquimod cream 3 times/week. All the lesions cleared in 8 months and there was no sign of recurrence.

Keywords: human papillomavirus; hyperthermia; immunity; systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Xing-Hua Gao reports a patent ZL 2007 2 0185403.3 licensed to China Medical University. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Warty lesions before treatment (A and B), complete clearance of lesions 8 months after local hyperthermia (C and D).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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