What is imiquimod primarily used to treat?

Imiquimod is primarily used to treat genital warts, which are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is an immune response modifier that helps to enhance the body's immune response against the virus, promoting the clearance of the warts. By stimulating local immune activity, imiquimod encourages the production of cytokines and other immune factors that can help eliminate the HPV-infected cells.

In contrast, the other options relate to conditions that are not effectively treated with imiquimod. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that requires antiviral medications that specifically target the hepatitis B virus. Atypical squamous cells, often found in Pap smear results, may require different interventions depending on their classification and the underlying cause. Chronic otitis media is a persistent ear infection typically managed with antibiotics or surgical intervention rather than topical immune-modulating treatments like imiquimod. Therefore, the role of imiquimod as a topical treatment specifically for genital warts highlights its unique mechanism and application in managing this viral infection.