Genital molluscum contagiosum in females – therapeutic efficacy and comparative evaluation of topical 10% and 20% potassium hydroxide

INTRODUCTION: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a cutaneous viral infection caused by a poxvirus, manifested by discrete, papular, pearly lesions with central umbilication. Genital lesions are mainly transmitted sexually. Till date, several forms of medical and surgical therapies have been used with variable success. In the present study, an attempt was made to review all the female patients of genital MC attending the sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: In the present study, therapeutic efficacy and comparative evaluation of topical 10% and 20% of potassium hydroxide (KOH) were undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 female patients of age group 18–50 years with clinically diagnosed MC and more than ten lesions were enrolled in this study. The lesions in each patient were divided into two equal Groups A and B. Topical 10% KOH was applied over lesions of Group A and 20% over lesions of Group B with the help of 26G needle. First, two applications were done by the doctor, and subsequent applications were done twice a week at bedtime at home by the patient herself until crusting. These cases were followed up at 4(th) day, 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), 4(th), 6(th), 8(th), 10(th), and 12(th) week. Results were analyzed objectively and photographically at each follow-up and at the end of the study statistically. RESULTS: Mean duration of treatment ± standard deviation in normal patients, HIV-positive patients, patients with associated STIs, patients with associated non-STIs, and pregnant patients in Group A and Group B was 6.83 ± 2.692, 9.33 ± 1.633, 6.83 ± 2.887, 8.20 ± 3.347, and 8.75 ± 2.121 weeks and 5.2 ± 2.156, 7.33 ± 1.633, 5.25 ± 2.050, 6.20 ± 2.864, and 6.50 ± 1.414 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: Topical 20% KOH is better than 10% KOH in genital MC in females.