BackgroundSeborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects 1–3% of the general population. The Malassezia species has been implicated as the main causative agent; however, the bacterial flora of the skin may also play role in the etiopathogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the most common bacterial agent of the skin flora of patients with seborrheic dermatitis.Materials and MethodsFifty-one patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 50 healthy individuals are included in this study. Sterile cotton swabs were rubbed on the scalp of the participants for bacterial culture. Colonial morphology was identified with gram stain and catalase test.ResultsStaphylococcus aureus was isolated from 25 (49%) patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 10 (20%) healthy individuals within the control group. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated from 24 (47.1%) patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 17 (34%) healthy individuals within the control group. Diphtheroids were present in 2 (3.9%) patients and 1 (2%) subject within the control group. Gram-negative bacilli were present only in 1 (2%) patient. Hemolytic streptococci and bacilli were identified in 1 (2%) subject from each group. Colonization of coagulase-negative staphylococci, diphtheroids, gram-negative bacilli, hemolytic streptococci, and bacillus did not differ between patients and healthy controls. However, S. aureus colonization was significantly more common in patients with seborrheic dermatitis than in healthy controls.ConclusionWithin this study we revealed that S. aureus colonization was significantly higher among the patients. Therefore, we propose that, in addition to the Malassezia species, S. aureus may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis.

Introduction Various factors like physiological and emotional stress, drugs and nutritional deficiencies can result in hair loss. Results of laboratory tests examining the underlying aetiology of hair loss vary in patients. Aim We aimed to compare the serum levels of ferritin, folate, vitamin B 12 , zinc, thyroid stimulating hormone and vitamin D in patients complaining of diffuse hair loss and in healthy individuals. Material and methods Fifty-four patients with hair loss (47 females, 7 males) and 55 healthy individuals within the control group (47 females, 8 males) were included in this study. Serum levels of ferritin, folate, vitamin B 12 , zinc, thyroid stimulating hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were evaluated in all participants retrospectively. Results Serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B 12 , zinc and thyroid stimulating hormone were similar in the two groups. However, the mean serum ferritin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with hair loss than in healthy individuals. The mean serum ferritin levels of the patients and healthy individuals were 14.72 ±10.70 ng/ml and 25.30 ±14.41 ng/ml, respectively. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of the patients and healthy individuals were 14.03 ±8.09 ng/ml and 17.01 ±8.59 ng/ml, respectively. Eleven (20.4%) patients had low serum ferritin levels, while 43 (79.6%) patients had low vitamin D levels. Conclusions The results obtained from this study reveal that serum ferritin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are generally low in patients complaining of hair loss. Therefore, serum ferritin and vitamin D levels should be evaluated and supplemented prior to treatment in all patients complaining of diffuse hair loss.

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Introduction: Isotretinoin is a commonly used systemic retinoid for treating acne. However, isotretinoin may lead to elevated serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, and it may affect liver function tests. Moreover, the effect of isotretinoin on hematological parameters remains controversial. This study examines changes in the blood chemistry panel, hematological parameters, and inflammation biomarkers of patients diagnosed with acne and treated with isotretinoin. Methods: The study included 70 patients (59 females and 11 males, between ages 18 and 37) with moderate to severe acne vulgaris treated with isotretinoin. The medical records and laboratory findings of the participants were reviewed retrospectively between March 2017 and September 2018. All the patients whose necessary laboratory test results could be obtained from the collected data were included in the study. Results: Serum total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels, and platelet/lymphocyte ratio increased, whereas white blood cell count and mean platelet volume (p = 0.036) decreased after isotretinoin treatment. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that mean platelet volume decreased significantly 3 months after the initiation of isotretinoin treatment. Therefore, we suggest considering mean platelet volume as an inflammatory marker in patients with acne treated with isotretinoin. However, this research should be replicated under more randomized conditions in a prospective study to reach a definitive conclusion.

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