[Interferon in anogenital infections with human papillomavirus]

Interferons (IFN) provide a systemic alternative for the therapy of human papillomavirus (HPV) induced anogenital warts. Local therapy cannot totally eliminate latent viral genome in the perilesional epithelium. This causes the danger of new exacerbations. Reviewing different reports and by own therapeutic experience we think, that IFN treatment may be successful in combination with local therapy and for pre-surgical diminution of extended condyloma. Sufficient dose is necessary. Poor effects are to be expected if the warts lasted for longer than 12 months and in case of severe immunodeficiency.