Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are very potential formulations for topical delivery of antifungal drugs. Hence, the purpose of this research was to formulate the well-known antifungal agent Fluconazole (FLZ)-loaded SLNs topical gel to improve its efficiency for treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor (PV). FLZ-SLNs were prepared by modified high shear homogenization and ultrasonication method using different concentration of solid lipid (Compritol 888 ATO, Precirol ATO5) and surfactant (Cremophor RH40, Poloxamer 407). The physicochemical properties and the in vitro release study for all FLZ-SLNs were investigated. Furthermore, the optimized FLZ-SLN formula was incorporated into gel using Carpobol 934. A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) of potential batches was carried out on 30 well diagnosed PV patients comparing to market product Candistan® 1% cream. Follow up was done for 4 weeks by clinical and KOH examinations. The results showed that FlZ-SLNs were almost spherical shape having colloidal sizes with no aggregation. The drug entrapment efficiency ranged from 55.49% to 83.04%. The zeta potential values lie between −21 and −33 mV presenting good stability. FLZ showed prolonged in vitro release from SLNs dispersion and its Carbapol gel following Higuchi order equation. Clinical studies registered significant improvement (p < .05) in therapeutic response (1.4-fold; healing%, 4-fold; complete eradication) in terms of clinical cure and mycological cure rate from PV against marketed cream. Findings of the study suggest that the developed FLZ loaded SLNs topical gels have superior significant fast therapeutic index in treatment of PV over commercially available Candistan® cream.

Background Myiasis is a cutaneous infestation by the larvae of dipterous flies. It can be furuncular/nodular, papular, or pustular. Diagnosis of cutaneous myiasis depends mainly on clinical examination especially for the nodular form. The latter two forms can present diagnostic difficulties. Dermoscopy has been reported to be helpful. This report illustrates some of the dermoscopic features of this condition.Methods The history, clinical findings, and dermoscopic findings of 15 affected individuals were documented.Results Dermoscopy in all patients showed the posterior end of larvae (creamy-white bodies and respiratory spiracles resembling birds' legs with digitated feet). Larval motility and bubbles were noticed in 15 and 10 of patients, respectively. Skin surrounding the larvae showed hypopigmentation in 11 patients and an increase in dilated capillaries in 13.Conclusions Dermoscopy can facilitate the diagnosis of myiasis particularly of the papular and pustular forms.

Background Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease that mostly heals by scarring. Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine, suggested to play a key role in acne pathogenesis. Objective To study the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of IL1β in acne vulgaris and acne scars to evaluate its possible role in their pathogenesis and to study the relation between the expression of IL1β and the clinicopathological parameters. Patients and methods This study was conducted on sixty subjects (twenty patients with acne vulgaris and twenty patients with acne scars), and twenty healthy volunteers as controls. Skin biopsies were taken from patients and controls for routine histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin stain and IHC staining of IL‐1β. Results There was a statistically significant increase in expression of IL‐1β in acne vulgaris compared with post‐acne scars and controls, (p < 0.001) for both. IL‐1β expression was significantly positively correlated with both clinical severity of acne vulgaris (p = 0.022) and severity of histopathological inflammation (p = 0.011). Conclusion Interleukin‐1β expression was associated with acne vulgaris and post‐acne scars with significant positive correlation to clinical and histopathological severity of acne vulgaris. Thus, IL‐1β could be a key player cytokine in acne pathogenesis, its severity and development of post‐acne scars.

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