Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a cutaneous lesion classically associated with potentially fatal Pseudomonas septicemia in immunocompromised patients. Other bacterial and fungal pathogens have also been implicated. Although EG typically occurs in immunocompromised or neutropenic patients, it may occasionally affect a previously healthy person. The cutaneous findings are characteristic with small indurated papulovesicles progressing rapidly to necrotic ulcers with surrounding erythema and a central black Eschar. While lesions can occur at any site, most are commonly found over the buttocks, perineum, limbs, and axillae. We describe a case of EG in periorbital region in a previously healthy woman who responded to appropriate antibiotic treatment for Pseudomonas. It is very important to establish the diagnosis early so that appropriate systemic antibiotic therapy can be initiated to reduce morbidity and potential mortality.

Myiasis is the invasion of host's tissues by the larval stage (maggot) of non-biting flies. It usually infects domestic and wild animals, but sometimes also affects human and is commonly found in the tropical and subtropical areas. Umbilical myiasis in the neonatal period associated with sepsis is a rare occurrence with few reported cases in the literature. We report a case of a 20-days-old neonate from a rural area of West Bengal, India, presented with neonatal sepsis due to umbilical myiasis caused by larval form of blow fly (Chrysomya megacephala).

Demodex canis is a natural inhabiting mite of canine skin. Immunological disorder or genetic disorder induces the Demodex population to proliferate vigorously resulting in generalized demodicosis with consequent chronic immunosuppression. Signs of generalized demodicosis include alopecia, crysting, erythema, secondary pyoderma etc. Amitraz, an acaricide, is used conventionally for the treatment of generalized demodicosis. In many instances, the disease relapses due to the residual immunosuppression. The need of an immunorestorative therapy has been urged in generalized demodicosis. Two immunorestorative drugs, namely, Immuplus, a herbal drug, and T11TS, a sheep erythrocyte surface glycoprotein, has been used in two separate groups of dogs having generalized demodicosis and receiving Amitraz treatment. It was observed that though Amitraz treated group responded to the therapy showing increased E-rosettes and nonspecific cytotoxic efficacy of T-lymphocytes and decrease in phagocytic potential of macrophages, the groups treated with the immunotherapeutics like Immuplus and T11TS, responded better. However, the group treated with T11TS showed best recovery. These results emphasize the need for an immunorestorative therapy in generalized demodicosis and provide data in favor of T11TS as a better immunomodulator in comparison to Immuplus.

Backgrounds: Hyperuricemia has not yet been established as cardiovascular risk factor. We aimed to study the angiographic severity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperuricemia.Materials and Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study we measured serum uric acid level in 82 patients of CAD who underwent coronary angiography in catheterisation laboratory of our Institution. Severity of CAD was determined on the basis of Gensini score, number of diseased vessels, critical lesions and total occlusions.Results: The prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with CAD was 42.68% in our study. Hyperuricemia was associated with higher Gensini score (33.33±10.64 vs. 22.90±6.75, p value <0.001), number of critical lesions (1.03±0.84 vs. 0.63±0.72, p value 0.031), total occlusions (0.67±0.47 vs. 0.37±0.48, p value 0.007) and dyslipidemia (63.6% vs. 30.6%, p value 0.003) more frequently compared to normouricemic patients. And also the higher serum uric acid level was correlated with higher Gensini score (beta 0.418, t 4.430, p value <0.001, 95% CI 0.036 and 0.094) and frequent number of total occlusion (beta 0.338, t 3.589, p value 0.001, 95% CI 0.462 and 1.613).Conclusion: Hyperuricemia was associated with higher Gensini score, frequent total occlusions and critical lesions in patients with Coronary Artery Disease compared to patients with normal uric acid level and also it was significantly correlated with higher Gensini score and frequent total occlusions.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(2) 2015 1-4

A study was undertaken with a view to assess the distinct pattern of sero-prevalence of influenza A viruses in the city of Calcutta population during the years of 1981-90. Concurrently, based on the fact of increasing pig population, a study was carried out to establish the activity of the human influenza A virus among pigs with a view to the potential threat of emergence of a new strain of influenza A virus that may surface following co-infection with swine and human influenza A viruses. The percentage positivity of the H3N2 antigen was found to be highest (46%), followed by H1N1 (43%), H2N2 (35%) and H0N1 (19%). A similar pattern was noted with pig sera.