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Pera Calvi I, R Marques I, Cruz SA, Mesquita YLL, Padrao EMH, Souza RM, Brown A, Caçador DGV, Poppe LM, Lopes Almeida Gomes L. Safety and efficacy of topical nitric oxide-releasing berdazimer gel for molluscum contagiosum clearance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pediatr Dermatol 2023; 40:1060-1063. [PMID: 37721050 DOI: 10.1111/pde.15419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a contagious infection that, although benign, can become an aesthetic burden and lead to other opportunistic infections, secondary dermatitis, and self-isolation. Currently, several treatment options are available for MC, including the newly investigated nitric oxide-releasing berdazimer gel, leading this review to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing berdazimer gel with a vehicle for treating MC. The meta-analysis included three reports and four RCT involving 1854 patients, with 1106 (59.6%) randomized to receive berdazimer. Our findings suggest that berdazimer is effective in the management of MC lesions, but the increased clearance of lesions and reduction of scarring must be weighed against the potential for topical adverse effects, particularly when considering the use of this therapy in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Pera Calvi
- Division of Medicine, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Isabela R Marques
- Division of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara A Cruz
- Division of Medicine, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | | | - Eduardo M H Padrao
- Internal Medicine Division, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rafaela M Souza
- Dermatology Division, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Brown
- Internal Medicine Division, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Danielle G V Caçador
- Dermatology Division, Institute of Research and Medical Education (IPEMED) Faculty of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lidia M Poppe
- Dermatology Division, Praxis Dr. Poppe & Kollegen, Bad Kissingen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Lais Lopes Almeida Gomes
- Dermatology Division, Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
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Jungclaus K, Mascarenhas R, Tellechea O, Reich JLK, Reich K. Open-Label Observational Study of a Topical Formulation of Calcium Spirulan Contained in a Defined Extract of the Microalga Spirulina platensis in the Treatment of Children with Molluscum Contagiosum. Dermatol Res Pract 2023; 2023:8871299. [PMID: 37564134 PMCID: PMC10412400 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8871299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral skin infection primarily affecting children which is difficult to treat using available therapeutic approaches. The sulfated polysaccharide named calcium spirulan (Ca-SP) has demonstrated antiviral effects against herpes simplex virus in keratinocytes in vitro, and a cream containing 1.5% Ca-SP and 1% of a defined microalgae extract (Spiralin®) effectively prevented herpes labialis in a trial with susceptible individuals. This observational study aimed to show antiviral effects of a similar formulation (Spirularin® VS) against MC in children. Methods Children with active MC lesions were treated with Spirularin® VS cream twice daily on affected skin over several months and asked to return for follow-up visits after 1 to 3 months. Clinical status of MC infection was documented at baseline and follow-up visits. Results Of the 31 children enrolled in the study, 26 completed treatment and returned for control visits. Spirularin® VS cream was applied twice daily over a period of 1 to 9 months (mean treatment duration 3.9 months). 19/26 (73.1%) children achieved complete clearance of MC lesions with no clinical evidence of bacterial skin infection during treatment. No irritative skin reactions or unpleasant symptoms were observed or reported. Conclusion This open-label observational study suggests that a cream formulation containing 1.5% Ca-SP and 1% Spiralin® may be an effective and safe treatment option for children with active MC lesions. The high rate of complete clearance of MC lesions and lack of adverse reactions warrant further investigation in larger, controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Jungclaus
- Center for Translational Research in Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Oscar Tellechea
- Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, Dermatologia, Portugal
| | - Jeremias L. K. Reich
- Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Kristian Reich
- Center for Translational Research in Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Lacarrubba F, Micali G, Trecarichi AC, Quattrocchi E, Monfrecola G, Verzì AE. New Developing Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2022; 12:2669-2678. [PMID: 36239905 PMCID: PMC9674806 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-022-00826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A large variety of treatments for molluscum contagiosum (MC) are available, but none are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and there is no consensus on the optimal approach, mainly owing to a lack of high-level data. Physical modalities are widely used, but require repeated outpatient visits for administration, are painful and difficult to perform in children, and are associated with the possibility of residual scarring and post-inflammatory hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Two experimental topical drugs, a new standardized preparation of topical cantharidin, called VP-102, and a topical nitric oxide (NO)-releasing product containing berdazimer, called SB206, represent promising products that have been designed to overcome the limitations of current treatments. They have recently shown good results in terms of safety and efficacy in large cohorts of patients in phase III studies and have the potential to be the first FDA-approved therapies for the treatment of MC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Lacarrubba
- Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Micali
- Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Monfrecola
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Elisa Verzì
- Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Srinivasan Rajsri K, Rao M. Poxvirus-driven human diseases and emerging therapeutics. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221136751. [PMID: 36406813 PMCID: PMC9666863 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221136751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Poxviridae have been successful pathogens throughout recorded history, infecting humans among a variety of other hosts. Although eradication of the notorious smallpox has been a globally successful healthcare phenomenon, the recent emergence of Monkeypox virus, also belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus and causing human disease, albeit milder than smallpox, is a cause of significant public health concern. The ongoing outbreak of monkeypox, demonstrating human-human transmission, in previously nonendemic countries, calls for critical need into further research in the areas of viral biology, ecology, and epidemiology to better understand, prevent and treat human infections. In the wake of these recent events, it becomes important to revisit poxviral infections, their pathogenesis and ability to cause infection across multiple nonhuman hosts and leap to a human host. The poxviruses that cause human diseases include Monkeypox virus, Molluscum contagiosum virus, and Orf virus. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of various poxviruses causing human diseases, provide insights into their replication and pathogenicity, disease progression and symptoms, preventive and treatment options, and their importance in shaping modern medicine through application in gene therapy, oncolytic viral therapies for human cancers, or as poxvirus vectors for vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Srinivasan Rajsri
- Division of Biomaterials, Department of
Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York,
NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Vilcek Institute, New
York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mana Rao
- Essen Medical Associates, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
ArchCare, New York, NY, USA
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