Systemic treatment modalities for eradication of multiple therapy resistant genital warts are so far not available. In this study laser treated patients with multiple genital warts received postoperatively either interferon alpha-2b subcutaneously (s.c.) 5 x 10' IU or matching placebo three times weekly for four weeks. At the conclusion of the study, 6-8 weeks after discontinuation of therapy, a significantly higher cure rate was found in the group of interferon-treated patients (14 of 27 (52%) patients cured) than among placebo treated patients (5 of 22 (23%) patients cured) (p < 0-05). The side effects of fever, chills, myalgia, headache and leukopenia occurred more commonly in the interferon treated group than in the placebo group. However, only three of 32 patients discontinued interferon therapy because of side effects. We conclude that the addition of s.c. administered interferon alpha-2b to laser treated patients with chronic therapy resistant genital warts is fairly well tolerated and that it significantly enhances the chance ofeliminating the disease. IntroductionThe optimal treatment modality has not been established in patients with recalcitrant multiple genital warts. A variety of ablative treatments for podophyllin resistant genital warts are available, including cryosurgery, electrocautery and laser therapy.

A congenital syndrome affecting the skin, oral mucosa and bulbar conjunctiva is reported in father and son. Skin lesions consisted of brownish papules with central keratotic plugs. Trauma was able to provoke lesions. In addition, changes of oral mucosa with premature loss of the teeth, and recurrent eye symptoms with conjunctivitis were present. Histological examination of specimens from skin, oral mucosa and conjunctiva revealed a uniform picture of dyskeratosis (single cell keratinization). The symptoms reported do not seem to fit into any of the existing muco-cutaneous syndromes. An autosomal dominant mutation is suggested as the cause of the disease.

For many years venereal diseases have been a major problem in Greenland. Since the early 1950s gonorrhoea has been widely prevalent; in the middle of the 1960s the incidence increased rapidly. Since the early 1970s syphilis has become widespread in the population, and in 1977 an epidemic of chancroid occurred. The high figures for venereal diseases are basically due to the social change towards a modern industrial society. Improvements in the health services could be made by encouraging health education on venereal diseases, training Greenlander health personnel, and appointing a venereologist.

SUMMARY A case of transient nephrotic syndrome caused by secondary syphilis is described. A renal biopsy was performed revealing subepithelial hump-like electron-dense deposits and fusion of epithelial foot-processes. Complement Clq-binding-activity and anticomplementarity were demonstrated in the blood, indicating the presence of circulating immune complexes. This strongly suggests that circulating immune complexes are significant in the immunopathogenesis of syphilitic nephropathy.