PROGRAM CONTENTS

Introduction

Stephen K. Tyring, MD, PhD, MBA
Professor of Dermatology
Department of Dermatology
University of Texas Health Science Center
Houston, Tex.

Human Papillomaviruses: Basic Virology to Clinical Management

Stephen K. Tyring, MD, PhD, MBA

Molluscum Contagiosum and Treatment Options

Douglas W. Kress, MD
Chief of Pediatric Dermatology
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Penn.

Treatment of Cutaneous Warts: An Updated Inventory of Therapeutic Options

Robert B. Skinner, MD
Professor of Medicine
Department of Dermatology
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, Tenn.

Please review the following CME information before selecting the Begin the Program button found at the bottom of this page.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Viral skin diseases represent a major component in the busy practices of dermatologists. In this activity, the focus is on the most common cutaneous viral diseases, genital/anal warts (condylomata acuminatum) and common warts, caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV), and molluscum contagiosum, caused by poxviruses.

The manifestations of cutaneous viral infections range from simple erythematous, macular presentations to papules, vesicles, pustules, ulcers, and crusting that may represent any of a long list of possible etiologies. Clinicians must be able to accurately assess and differentiate among these manifestations and presentations, particularly now because of the emerging possibility that the causative organisms may be the etiologic agents responsible for smallpox infections or disseminated vaccinia. The poxviruses, especially, may mimic or be mimicked by vaccinia, and clinicians should know the differences in the morphology of the lesions as well as in the presentation, timing, and progression of these lesions.

Advances in the understanding of the natural history and treatment of common viral skin diseases highlight the need for a continuing educational process that guides the clinician in patient management, including the latest treatment options, such as topical immune response modifier therapy.

This activity will provide dermatologists with current information regarding the nature of viral skin diseases caused by HPV and poxviruses and will help clinicians remain up-to-date on patient applied and physician applied therapies in the treatment of genital warts, common warts, and molluscum contagiosum.

Intended Audience

This activity has been developed for dermatologists, primary care physicians, and other clinicians who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of viral skin diseases.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

After reading this supplement and taking the test, participants should be able to:

• Summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the skin—as manifested by genital/anal and common warts—and the role of local immune responses in the clearing of infection.
• Discuss the HPV types that are associated with external genital/anal warts and with cervical malignancies, and explain the role of diagnostic testing in the management of patients with external genital/anal warts.
• Recognize the most common presentations of human papillomavirus (HPV) and poxvirus infections, as well as the atypical morphologic characteristics that must be considered in diagnosing various types of warts and molluscum contagiosum.
• Describe the methods that may be used to confirm a clinical diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum, and explain when such methods should be used.
• List and explain the destructive/ablative methodologies and the pharmacologic treatments that are currently available for treating genital/anal and common warts and molluscum contagiosum.
• Name and describe the factors that should be considered in choosing a specific therapeutic regimen for individual patients.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME) and Skin & Allergy News. The EOCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.  

CME Credit Statement

The EOCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

FACULTY DISCLOSURES

As a sponsor accredited by the ACCME, it is the policy of the EOCME to require the disclosure of anyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity. All relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests and/or manufacturers must be disclosed to participants at the beginning of each activity. The faculty of this educational activity discloses the following.

Dr Kress is a consultant to 3M Pharmaceuticals, Amgen Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., and PharmaDerm; on the speaker’s bureau of Amgen, Novartis, Stiefel, and Galderma Laboratories, L.P.; and a stock shareholder of Abbott Laboratories. Dr Skinner is a consultant to 3M and is on the speaker’s bureau of 3M, Connetics Corporation, Novartis, Amgen, and Stiefel. He discusses off-label treatment of warts. Dr Tyring has received grant/research support from, is a consultant to, and on the speaker’s bureau of 3M, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Merck & Co., Inc., Abbott, and Amgen.

resolution of conflict of Interest

The EOCME has implemented a process to resolve conflict of interest for each CME activity. In order to help ensure content objectivity, independence, and fair balance, and to ensure that the content is aligned with the interest of the public, the EOCME has resolved the conflict by external content review.  

Unapproved/Off-Label Use Disclosure

The EOCME requires CME faculty to disclose to the participants:

1. When products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and or investigational (not US Food and Drug Administration [FDA] approved); and
2. Any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research; interim analyses; and/or unsupported opinion.

Faculty may discuss information about pharmaceutical agents that are outside of FDA-approved labeling. This information is intended solely for CME and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information.

This CME activity is supported by an educational grant from

Special Needs

We encourage participation by all individuals. If you have any special needs, please contact mededinfo@elsevier.com for assistance.

Hardware and Software Specifications Needed to View

This course requires use of a modern web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Netscape, or Opera. Additionally, to view the presentations requires Flash reader version 6 or later (free download here) and Acrobat Reader Version 5 or later (free download here).

This program was produced by the medical education department of International Medical News Group. Neither the editor of Skin & Allergy News, the Editorial Advisory Board, nor the reporting staff contributed to its content. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the views of the supporter or of the Publisher.

Copyright ©2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this program may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Elsevier Inc. will not assume responsibility for damages, loss, or claims of any kind arising from or related to the information contained in this publication, including any claims related to the products, drugs, or services mentioned herein.