<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Deep mycoses which<strong> </strong>includes subcutaneous mycoses and systemic mycoses, accounts for about 1% of the all the fungal infections seen in human beings. Though rare, these infections assume significance due to the increased morbidity and mortality associated with them. The objective of the study was to study the incidence, clinical presentation, aetiological agents and histopathological findings of deep mycoses in patients attending the mycology section, department of dermatology of a tertiary centre in Chennai.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> All Patients with clinical suspicion of deep mycoses who presented to mycology section during the period from November 2015 to September 2016 were screened. The samples from these patients were subjected to direct microscopy by potassium hydroxide wet mount, culture and histopathology.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among the 8250 patients who attended mycology OPD, 41 patients (0.5%) had deep mycoses. The commonly affected age group was 41-50 yrs (29.7%). Males (73.2%) were predominantly affected. Of the 41 patients, 26.8% were immunocompromised. 37 patients (90.2%) had subcutaneous infection and 4 (9.8%) had opportunistic mycoses. Mycetoma (43.2%) was the most common subcutaneous mycoses. Mucormycosis (75%) and aspergillosis (25%) were the opportunistic mycoses observed. KOH positivity was 100%, while culture positivity was 65.7%. <em>Madurella mycetomatis,</em> <em>Phialophora verrucosa</em>, <em>Rhizopus arrhizus</em> and <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> were the common organisms isolated in this study.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Mycetoma is the most common subcutaneous mycoses in this part of India. Eumycetoma is more common than actinomycetoma. Phaeohyphomycosis is on the rise. Simple KOH examination would pave way for an early diagnosis and prompt treatment of deep mycoses.</p>

Background: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder characterized by de-pigmentation affecting 1% of the population Vitiligo is associated with a lot of other autoimmune disorders. Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of other co-morbid autoimmune disorders in vitiligo patients in our Institution. Methods: A total of 100 patients with vitiligo who attended our Hospital vitiligo clinic were included. Patients with lesion which were less than 1cm in size and inactive vitiligo were excluded from the study. The co-morbid autoimmune disorders were collected and analyzed. Results: In our study group of 100 patients with vitiligo, 30 patients had autoimmune disorders. Out of the 30 patients, 20 patients had Diabetes Mellitus and it was found out to be the most common autoimmune disorder. Among the rest of 10 patients, 5 patients had pernicious anemia, 2 patients had alopecia areata, 2 patients had psoriasis vulgaris and 1 patient had linear morphea. Conclusion: Most of the patients with vitiligo have one or more autoimmune disorder which supports the autoimmune theory of vitiligo. It therefore mandatory to screen all patients of vitiligo for autoimmune disorders.

Background: Pityriasis versicolor, a chronic superficial fungal infection caused by lipophilic yeasts of the genus, Malassezia is a common infection in the tropical and subtropical regions. Objective was to study the epidemiology, clinical presentation, associations, etiological agents and clinico-mycological correlation of pityriasis versicolor. 
Methods: Hundred patients with clinical diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor who attended the mycology out-patient (OP) clinic between September 2014 and August 2015 were enrolled. Skin scrapings from these patients were subjected to 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and culture.Results: Out of the 100 patients with pityriasis versicolor (PV), 70% were males and 30% were females and the most affected age group was between 21-30 years (43%). The youngest age affected was a 13 years old male while the oldest was a 65 years old male. Duration of the infection ranged between 1 month to 6 months in 65% while it was more than 1 year in 9% of patients. Recurrence was observed in 35% of them. Back was the most common site (48%) to be involved. Seventy percent of patients had more than 30% body surface area involvement. Achromic type of PV was the most common clinical presentation in 68% of patients. Out of the 76 isolates, Malassezia globosa was the predominant isolate (48.7%), followed by M. sympodialis (25%), M. furfur (10.5%), M. restricta (7.9%) and M. obtusa (6.6%).Conclusions: Achromic type of PV is the most common clinical presentation. Malassezia globosa is the most common etiological agent of pityriasis versicolor.

<p class="abstract">The diagnosis and management of hair loss needs an organized and systematic approach for recognizing pattern of hair loss and identification of hair loss etiology. Early and specific diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate treatment in the early phases of hair loss. Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are the only approved drugs for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Various other treatment options are widely used but have limited clinical evidence. Similarly, there are no specific treatments recommended for telogen effluvium (TE). However, the treatment may become challenging with increasing availability of new formulations and drugs with no substantial evidence to support them. Multiple focused group discussions were conducted among Indian dermatologists to gain expert opinion on appropriate management of AGA and TE in the current scenario. This article summarizes the consensus clinical viewpoints for topical and oral medications, role of nutritional supplements, and other adjunctive therapies in managing AGA and TE. The panel highlighted that the choice of treatment for AGA and TE depends on the individual hair loss pattern and response to medications. A brief discussion on the use of shampoos and procedures has also been highlighted.  </p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic spontaneous urticaria is a common skin disorder affecting 0.5 to 1% of people in the general population. There are a variety of treatment options available without much successful outcome. Omalizumab is a novel treatment option which can be used in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria. The aim of our study is to assess the efficacy of omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective analysis of data of 10 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria who were treated with three doses of omalizumab in our institution. Doses were given at monthly intervals for 3 months and they were followed for another 6 months. Response was assessed using urticaria activity score.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 70% of patients had well controlled urticaria with 3 doses of omalizumab by the end of 9 months.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong>Omalizumab is a safe and effective treatment option in the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria. <p> </p>