Role of Tinea Unguium and Other Factors in Chronic and Recurrent Dermatophytosis: A Case Control Study.

CONTEXT: There is an alarming rise in the incidence of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis (CRD) in India. Many factors including tinea unguium may be responsible for it. AIMS: To evaluate various epidemiological and clinical factors including the presence of tinea unguium as a risk factor for CRD. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a case-control study in which patients attending the dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in February-March 2019 were recruited. A total of 80 consecutive clinically diagnosed patients with CRD as per the case definition (cases) were selected. Another 80 consecutive patients with dermatophytosis other than CRD (controls) were also selected. Patients were clinically evaluated with special attention for the presence of tinea unguium. RESULTS: Among the total of 80 cases, 44 (55%) and 36 (45%) were diagnosed to have chronic dermatophytosis and recurrent dermatophytosis respectively. CRD was relatively uncommon in patients younger than 20 years. Sharing of linen, family history, and topical corticosteroid abuse were also frequent among patients with CRD. Tinea unguium was present in six cases (7.5%) and two controls (2.5%) which was not statistically significant (P = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: The current epidemic of CRD may be primarily due to a pathogen with certain specific epidemiological and clinical determinants. It may be primarily a skin pathogen with less or no affinity toward the hair and nail.

Dietary agents and phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of experimental ulcerative colitis.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), consisting mainly of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are important immune-mediated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology of the disease includes environmental and genetic factors. Its management presents a constant challenge for gastroenterologists and conventional surgeon. 5-Amninosalicylates, antibiotics, steroids, and immune modulators have been used to reduce the symptoms and for maintenance of remission. Unfortunately, long-term usage of these agents has been found to lead to severe toxicities, which are deterrent to the users. Pre-clinical studies carried out in the recent past have shown that certain dietary agents, spices, oils, and dietary phytochemicals that are consumed regularly possess beneficial effects in preventing/ameliorating UC. For the first time, this review addresses the use of these dietary agents and spices in the treatment and prevention of IBD and also emphasizes on the mechanisms responsible for their effects.