Effect of prolonged low-dose oral aspirin on the oxidative status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of active vitiligo

There is a growing body of evidence that the etiology of vitiligo may relate primarily to an imbalance in the oxidative status of the epidermal melanocytes and other cells that include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Consequently, this pilot placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the effect of long-term (l2 weeks) oral administration of single low-dose (300 mg) of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin on the antioxidant enzymes [catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] activities and the intracellular levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation of PBMC in patients with vitiligo in the active phase. Thirty two adult patients with active vitiligo (18 females and 14 males) and 32 normal healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were recruited. The vitiligo patients were divided into two equal groups, one group received a single daily dose of oral aspirin and the other one received placebo for 12 consecutive weeks. The antioxidant enzymes, GSH and the marker of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in the supernatant of PBMC homogenates of vitiligo patients (aspirin-treated and placebo groups) before the start of treatment and at the end of treatment period. The determination of these cell markers were carried out with the use of commercially available kits, according to standardized spectrophotometric methods.

Compared with the placebo group, the aspirin-treated group of vitiligo patients showed significant increase in catalase and GPx activities (p<0.00l and p<0.05 respectively) and a significant decrease in SOD activity (p<0.05). Moreover, GSH level was significantly increased (p<0.00l) with concomitant significant decrease in MDA concentration (p<0.05). Parallel to these changes there was a considerable improvement in the disease activity in all aspirin-treated patients, as well as significant repigmentation in two at the end of the study period.

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions in a south Indian tertiary care center

The clinical spectrum of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of out-patients, in-patients admitted in the department of Dermatology and also cases referred from other departments was recorded over a period of one year (January 2000 to January 2001) by the department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the department of Dermatology. The causal link between drug and the reaction was established by causality assessment method proposed by Kramer et al. A total of 129 patients diagnosed to have cutaneous ADRs were included in the study. By causality assessment, ADRs were classified as certain-3, probable-97, possible-26 and unlikely 3. Only certain and probable cases were considered for analysis (n=100). The common types of ADRs were exanthemas (35), urticaria (14), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (14) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (4). The drugs implicated for cutaneous ADRs were antibiotics (53), antiepileptics (19) and NSAIDs (10). Antibiotics were responsible for causing maximum number of exanthemas (68.57%), followed by urticaria (57.14%) and fixed drug eruptions (55%).

Dermatological disease pattern in an urban institution in Kolkata

A study of 36,588 new cases who attended the Dermatology OPD of School of Tropical Medicine (STM) was carried out for the year 2002. Eczema (31.4%), pyoderma (14.36%), fungal infection (9.7%) and psoriasis (5.39%) were the major skin diseases. As STM has a separate leprosy clinic, the statistics of leprosy is mentioned separately.

Clinico-epidemiological pattern of leprosy among females - a hospital-based study

All new female patients of leprosy attending the dermatology OPD of a rural medical college of North Bengal for 1 year were studied to elicit the clinico-epidemiological pattern. Out of 650 new cases of leprosy, 207 were female, with a male to female ratio of about 2:1. The majority of them belonged to the age group of 31-40 years and most of them were from rural area. Tuberculoid type was the commonest Fifteen percent cases gave history of intra-familial contact and another 7% had extra-familial. Pregnancy had a deleterious effect on the course of leprosy.

Efficacy and safety of chemical peel and cryo peel (liquid nitrogen) in melasma

Melasma is a common problem amenable to different peeling regimes. We evaluated the effects of 4 regimes that included glycolic acid alone and in combination with trichloroacetic acid and liquid nitrogen with 15 patients in each schedule. The peeling was done every 2 weeks for 3 months. The response rate with each of the treatment schedules was good (p<0.01), but there was no difference in improvement with different treatments (p>0.05). Occasional minor side effects were noticed that responded to simple measures and did not warrant discontinuation of therapy.

Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis in a systematized linear verrucous epidermal nevus

Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis is a rare hereditary autosomally inherited disorder of keratinization characterized histopathologically by granular cell degeneration. We report a case of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis in a child with systematized linear verrucous epidermal nevus and its clinical significance has been highlighted.

Hypertrophic Darier's disease

A 30 year old female presented with complaints of asymptomatic skin lesions over the face, neck, chest and back of 15 years duration along with growth in the vulval region of 6 months duration. Biopsy of the vulval growth revealed it to be Darier's disease. This case is being reported for the rare occurrence of hypertrophy of vulva in Darier's disease.

Mucinous Nevus

Mucinous nevus is a recently described entity characterized by the deposition of mucin in the papillary dermis. This nevus is rare and has been described mostly in children. We describe this disorder in a young adult.

Pityriasis rosea exfoliativa

A 6 year old female child presented to us with history of multiple. itchy, reddish, scaly lesions of 10 days duration involving the whole body. The lesions first started on the face and then secondary eruptions involved other parts of the body. A diagnosis of pityriasis rosea exfoliativa was made. The lesions resolved completely after two weeks of treatment.

Orificial tuberculosis

Orificial tuberculosis is an uncommon mucosal tuberculosis usually seen in persons of poor general health with long standing tuberculosis of some internal organ. We are reporting a case of disseminated tuberculosis in an immunocompetent person where orificial (anal) tuberculosis resolved with depigmentation.

Tinea Nigra

A twenty year old Kashmiri female presented with pigmented macules on tip and palmar aspect of distal phalanx of right thumb. Laboratory findings proved it to be a case of tinea nigra, a rare disorder.

Tinea Capitis due to Trichophyton Verrucosum

A 25 year old female presented with the history of multiple abscesses with hair loss over the scalp. A skin biopsy was done which showed spores and mycelia within hair and hair follicles in the keratinized portion of hair shaft. This zoophilic fungal infection occurs through occupational exposure to animals.

Invasive Trichophyton Rubrum infection of face

A superficial perifollicular papular variant of trichophyton granuloma, known as Wilsons's granuloma, reportedly occurs on legs secondary to trauma and is rare. This paper describes a case of deep follicular invasion of face by Trichophyton rubrum in an otherwise healthy male patient and discusses its possible pathomechanism.

Multiple scalp nodules - Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia

A case of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia presenting as multiple scalp nodules closely mimicking benign appendageal tumor is reported. All the lesions were excised with no recurrence during 6 months of follow-up.

Acantholytic Acanthoma of the vulva

A case of asymptomatic solitary nodule on the right labium minus in a 34 year old lady for 5 years was completely excised. Histology showed acantholytic acanthoma.