Background:Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) promote Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission by augmenting HIV infectiousness and susceptibility. In our society, especially in rural areas, males are common visitors to STI clinic than females who are generally traced as a contact. This difference may be due to the asymptomatic nature of infections in females, lower awareness among women of need for availing medical facilities, or their frequent consultation in gynecological clinics instead of STI clinics.Aim:To determine the prevalence, clinical profile, and the pattern of STIs in males and the prevalence of HIV infection in them at a rural-based tertiary care center.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study of male cases attending STI clinic between January 2008 and December 2009 was carried out. Diseases were diagnosed on the basis of clinical morphology of the lesion, and HIV and Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) testing was done in all cases.Results:Of 23 433 male patients presenting at the Skin/VD department, 201 were diagnosed to have STI. Most common age group affected was 25 to 44 years (59.7%). Incidence of STI was high among married individuals (77.2%). Herpes genitalis was most common STI in 49 (24.37%) cases. Viral infections (herpes genitalis, genital warts, and molluscum contagiosum) accounted for 62.2% of cases. Prevalence of HIV in STI was 2.48%.Conclusions:The persistent and recurrent nature of viral infections is responsible for their increasing trend in the current STI scenario. HIV and STIs are perfect examples of epidemiologic synergy as they are core transmitters of each other. STI being higher in married individuals further underlines the importance of contact tracing, counseling, and prompt management of the partners.

Background: ACDRs (Adverse cutaneous Drug Reactions) is a major problem in drug therapy and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in health care. Aims & Objective: To study the clinical pattern, most common offending drugs & relation between absolute eosinophil count & various ACDRs. Materials and Methods: The prospective observational study was carried out from April 2010 to March 2011 in the Dermatology department at a rural based tertiary care hospital in all patients irrespective of age and sex suspected of having drug reactions seen during the period of one year after taking their written consent. Results: Out of total 100 cases (51 males and 49 females), most common affected age group was 21-30yrs and most common presenting complaint was itching (37%). The most common ACDRs were maculopapular rash (25%) followed by fixed drug eruptions (23%) and urticaria (22%). Antimicrobials were the most common drug group incriminated in 54% followed by NSAIDs in 23% and anticonvulsants in 11%. Diclofenac, AKT, phenytoin and ciprofloxacin were the commonest incriminated drugs. Using the WHO guidelines for causality assessment, 9 were certain, 70 were probable and 21 were possible cases. Eosinophilia (AEC>500) was seen in 20% (15/74) cases. Conclusion: Physicians are expected to be well informed with common drug eruptions to diagnose them at the earliest, stop the offending drug and initiate the treatment at the earliest & also the patients should be counseled & educated regarding the importance of carrying the drug list.

Context:Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a hereditary androgen-dependent disorder, characterized by gradual conversion of terminal hair into miniaturized hair and defined by various patterns. Common age group affected is between 30 and 50 years. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that include diabetes and prediabetes, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The relationship between androgenic alopecia and MetS is still poorly understood.Aim:The aim was to study the clinical profile of androgenic alopecia and its association with cardiovascular risk factors.Materials and Methods:This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study done on men in the age group of 25–40 years. Fifty clinically diagnosed cases with early-onset androgenic alopecia of Norwood Grade III or above and fifty controls without androgenic alopecia were included in the study. Data collected included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, family history of androgenic alopecia, history of alcohol, smoking; fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were done. MetS was diagnosed as per the new International Diabetes Federation criteria. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results:MetS was seen in 5 (10%) cases and 1 (2%) control (P=0.092). Abdominal obesity, hypertension, and lowered high-density lipoprotein were significantly higher in patients with androgenic alopecia when compared to that of the controls.Conclusion:A higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was seen in men with early-onset androgenic alopecia. Early screening for MetS and its components may be beneficial in patients with early-onset androgenic alopecia.

Mycosis Fungoides is a Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by infiltration of skin with patches, plaques, and nodules composed of T-lymphocytes. It is the most common type of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and accounts for almost 50% of all primary cutaneous lymphoma. Tumour d’ emblee is the term used for the patient presenting with skin tumors not preceded by patches or plaques. We report a rare case of mycosis fungoides d’ emblee variant with tumors of only 3 months duration without any preceding skin lesions.

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare aggressive tumor of capillary and lymphatic endothelial cell origin. Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck regions seems to be a distinctive neoplasm with characteristic clinicopathologic features that differ from angiosarcoma in other anatomic locations. Angiosarcoma, regardless of their setting, has a bad prognosis. We presented here a case of 80 years old male, with multiple nontender grouped purple to red hemorrhagic vesicular and bullous lesions over left lower cheek and upper neck area, with bilateral cervical lymph nodes since 1 month. Computed tomography thorax showed nodular opacities in the right upper and midzones. Excisional biopsy showed characterstic “dissection of collagen” with mild nuclear atypia. Immunohistochemistry showed tumor cell positive for CD-31 and Fli-1. Patient died within 1 month of presentation.