Combination therapy of resistant warts in a patient with AIDS

BACKGROUND. An AIDS patient on anti-HIV therapy consisting of two reverse transcriptase inhibitors had a low CD4+ lymphocyte count, a high HIV viral RNA load, and facial warts that were resistant to ablative therapy. OBJECTIVE. To find a regimen to treat resistant warts in an AIDS patient with a depressed CD4 count and high HIV viral load. METHODS. A protease inhibitors was added to his regimen and he was treated with ablative therapy using a 585 nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (FPPDL). RESULTS. Observed resolution of the warts one month later, with no recurrence at seven-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS. Treatment of resistant warts in patients with AIDS may be enhanced by triple-drug therapy which includes a protease inhibitor, used in combination with ablative therapy, such as the FPPDL.