Severe cutaneous drug reactions are one of the commonest medical challenges presenting to an emergency room in any hospital. The manifestations range from maculopapular rash to severe systemic symptoms like renal failure and cardiovascular compromise. Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythroderma, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis and drug induced vasculitis are the common cutaneous drug reactions which can have severe morbidity and even mortality. Careful history taking of the lag period after drug intake and associated symptoms, along with detailed examination of the skin, mucosa and various systems, help in early diagnosis of these reactions. Early stoppage of the incriminating drug, specific therapy including corticosteroids, cyclosporine and intravenous immunoglobulin depending on the case along with supportive therapy and local measures help in salvaging most patients. An overview of these important cutaneous drug reactions along with their management is being reviewed in this article.

Melanocyte rich cell suspensionMelanocyte culture Vitiligo a b s t r a c t Background: Replenishing melanocytes by autologous melanocytes selectively in vitiliginous macules is a novel and promising treatment. With expertise in culturing autologous melanocytes, it has now become possible to treat larger recipient areas with smaller skin samples.To determine the relative efficacy of cultured versus non cultured melanocyte transfer in the management of stable vitiligo. Methods: The melanocytes were harvested as an autologous melanocyte rich cell suspension from a donor split thickness graft. Cultured or non cultured melanocytes were then transplanted to the recipient area that had been superficially dermabraded. 100 patches of vitiligo in patients reporting to this hospital were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive either of the interventions. Results: An excellent response was seen in 62.17% cases with the autologous melanocyte rich cell suspension technique and in 52% with the melanocyte culture technique. Conclusion: Autologous melanocyte transplantation can be an effective form of surgical treatment in stable but recalcitrant lesions of vitiligo. Large areas of skin can be covered with a smaller donor skin using melanocyte culture technique; however culture method is more time consuming, and a labour intensive process, requiring state of the art equipments with a sterile lab setup. Available online at www.sciencedirect.com jo urn al ho mep age: www .e lsev ie r. co m/ lo cate/ mj afi m e d i c a l j o u r n a l a r m e d f o r c e s i n d i a 7 0 ( 2 0 1 4 ) 2 6 e3 1

Type 2 lepra reactions are antigen antibody-mediated immune complex reactions that present with constitutional symptoms and ENL characterized by tender, erythematous, evanescent nodules mainly on the face, arms, and legs. Over 50% of lepromatous leprosy patients and 25% of borderline lepromatous leprosy patients experienced type 2 lepra reactions prior to the advent of multi-drug therapy. Thalidomide is the drug of choice for severe atypical lepra reactions because of its anti-tumor necrosis factor-α action. Awareness of these atypical variants and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent mortality and morbidity in potentially treatable patients.

This is the second such reported case in the literature.

Reticulate hyperpigmentary disorders are a group of rare genetic pigmentary abnormalities which includes reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura (RAPK), Dowling-Degos disease (DD), reticulate acropigmentation of Dohi (RAPD), Haber's syndrome, and Galli-Galli disease. A 25-year-old male presented with asymptomatic dark-colored lesions on his hands and feet with light-colored skin lesions involving the trunk since three years. Dermatological examination revealed hyperpigmented macules in a reticulate pattern involving the dorsa of the hands and feet, front and sides of the neck, axillae, periorbital region, and groin. Multiple pits were present over both palms, with breaks in dermatoglyphics. He also had multiple nonacne facial scars predominantly on the nose and malar areas. The patient had overlapping features of RAPK and DDD. In addition, he also had hypopigmented macules and acneiform facial scars. Such an overlap of features of reticulate pigmentation has not been previously reported in the literature.