Management of human papilloma virus vulvo-perineal infection with systemic beta-interferon and thymostimulin in HIV-positive patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of a combined therapy based on beta-interferon and thymostimulin in HIV-seropositive women with florid vulvoperineal condylomatosis.

METHODS

Nineteen HIV-seropositive women affected by HPV florid vulvo-perineal infection were studied. Their ages ranged from 19 to 32 years (mean = 26); all were smokers; 11 (57.89%) were intravenous drug users with a mean period of drug addiction of 5 years. No patient was on AZT therapy. All patients underwent a combined medical therapy based on beta-interferon administration with doses of 3,000,000 IU i.m. daily for 7 days and subsequently on alternate days for 2 weeks associated with the administration of 70 mg i.m. of thymostimulin per day on alternate days for 30 days.

RESULTS

Seven (36.84%) patients showed complete recovery at the end of follow-up; 5 (26.31%) patients showed partial recovery and 7 (36.84%) did not respond to therapy.

CONCLUSION

A pro-host immunotherapy seems to be indicated in patients affected by immunodeficiency syndrome.