No abstract

An observational pilot study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and morbidity profile of childhood contacts of leprosy in an endemic area (Chengalpattu) in India. A total of 70 such children were included in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected using a one-to-one interview method and the children were evaluated by dermatologists qualified in paediatric leprosy. The obtained data were computed. Three children were diagnosed to have leprosy through this study. Nutritional status assessment in these children demonstrated malnutrition, a common finding. Regular contact screening of children in endemic areas for early case detection, disability prevention and thereby prevention of community transmission is mandatory. Further research is needed concerning the role of malnutrition in children and its relation to morbidity in leprosy. The closeness and duration of contact of leprosy is also an important risk factor. Effective strategies to diagnose subclinical infection are needed.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> To study the clinical and epidemiological pattern of occurrence of non-venereal genital dermatoses among the patients attending STI clinic. Also an attempt was made to know the level of awareness among the patients studied and the level of psychological impact on the affected persons before they were diagnosed as anon venerealdermatoses.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A study was conducted among 125 patients who attended the STI Clinic in a tertiary care center in a period of 6 months. Detailed history was taken along with complete physical examination and local examination.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 125 patients attended the STI Clinic. Among them 75 patients [40 males and 35 females] were diagnosed to have Non venereal genital dermatoses. A total of 14 different non venereal dermatoses were observed in our study The commonest age group affected were in the age group of 30-40 year. The most common non-venereal dermatoses in females in our study were Lichen sclerosuset atrophicus and in males were fixed drug eruptions Pearly penile papules. Mild anxiety and concern about the genital lesions were found in almost all the males and females.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> A prompt and correct diagnosis of non-venereal genital dermatoses needs a greater clinical acumen along with various investigative methods Patient must be treated as a whole rather than treating the disease alone. The complete successful outcome lies not only in treating the disease but also treating the patient as a whole allying his undue fears, stress and misconceptions. </p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Psoriasis, a common chronic disfiguring inflammatory and proliferative papulosquamous disorder of the skin in which both genetic and environmental influences have a critical role. Scalp becomes the most common site of involvement, both at the time of onset of the disease and also throughout the course of the disease. This prospective study is designed to have a thorough insight into the etiological factors, clinical types and to unearth the factors behind the recalcitrant nature of scalp psoriasis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective study, conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Chengalpattu Medical College, Tamilnadu. 50 patients of scalp psoriasis enrolled between April 2017 and March 2018 were included in the study.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> It was found in our study that lesions of scalp psoriasis took longer time (on an average 6-8 weeks more) to resolve than lesions of psoriasis elsewhere in the body following treatment with systemic drugs like methotrexate and topical agents like 0.1% betamethasone + salicylic acid ointment and liquid paraffin. Out of 50 patients, 30 were female (60%) and 20 were male (40%). Following were the clinical types of scalp psoriasis encountered in our study. Chronic plaque psoriasis- 25 (50%), sebopsoriasis- 13 (26%), erythrodermic scalp psoriasis- 8 (16%), pityriasis amiantaceae- 4 (8%), pustular psoriasis of scalp- 0.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The density of scalp hair leading to reduced absorption of topical treatment and the social reasons affecting the quality of life of patients are crucial factors that determine treatment outcome. All these inconveniences result in non compliance of treatment. Hairy scalp, rich vascular supply, patient’s non-compliance, adverse effects of topical agents-all throw a challenge to the treating dermatologist where it poses recalcitrant nature to treatment.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Cutaneous tuberculosis is a curable chronic infectious disease. The clinical presentation and histopathological interpretation of skin biopsy may show variations as various types of the disease exist. The clinical diagnosis should be confirmed by histopathological features before starting treatment for particular type of the disease.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective hospital based study was conducted among patients in Chengalpattu medical college for last 3 years (May 2015 – April 2018) who had cutaneous tuberculosis. Skin biopsy taken from active lesion was stained with routine haematoxylin and eosin (H &amp; E) stain.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 20 cases, male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The age of the patients ranged from 11-68 years. Clinically, lupus vulgaris was the most common type of cutaneous tuberculosis with 35% cases followed by tuberculosis verrucosa cutis 20% cases, scrofuloderma 15% and atypical mycobacterial infections 10%, and least common types are lichen scrofulosorum 5% which correlates with the previous study of Aruna et al. Characteristic tuberculoid granulomas were seen in 71.4% cases of lupus vulgaris, all cases of scrofuloderma, lichen scrofulosorum and 80% of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis. The clinical and histopathological correlation was seen in 17 cases (85%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There can be overlap between different types of cutaneous tuberculosis with various other dermatological diseases, both clinically and morphologically and so correlation of clinical and histopathological features appears to be more useful for accurate diagnosis and typing of cutaneous tuberculosis. High clinical suspicion is necessary in cutaneous tuberculosis and early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent its complications.</p>