Specific immunity in patients suffering from recurring warts before and after repetitive intradermal tests with human papilloma virus.

The specific humoral and cellular immunity of 22 patients with multiple or recurring warts was studied. After repeated intradermal tests, using an inactivated, purified viral antigen, the responses obtained could be classed into two groups. The first group (10 patients) was characterized immunologically by the acquisition of a specific cellular immunity and the appearance of circulating IgG antibodies, and clinically by a total regression of resolution of the warts two to three weeks after the final intradermal test. The second group (12 patients) was characterized immunologically by a weak or non-existent specific immune response, and clinically by the unmodified persistence of the warts.