Clinicopathological study of itchy folliculitis in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Itchy folliculitis are pruritic, folliculo-papular lesions seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Previous studies have shown that it was impossible to clinically differentiate between eosinophilic folliculitis (EF) and infective folliculitis (IF). Also, attempts to suppress the intense itch of EF were ineffective. Aims: The present study is aimed at correlating clinical, histopathological and immunological features of itchy folliculitis in HIV patients along with their treatment. Methods: The present prospective study lasted for 36 months (September, 2005 to August, 2008) after informed consent, data on skin disorders, HIV status and CD4 count were obtained by physical examination, histopathological examination and laboratory methods. Results: Of 51 HIV-positive patients with itchy folliculitis, the predominant lesion was EF in 23 (45.1%) followed by bacterial folliculitis in 21 (41.2%), Pityrosporum folliculitis in five (9.8%) and Demodex folliculitis in two (3.9%) patients. The diagnosis was based on characteristic histopathological features and was also associated with microbiology confirmation wherever required. EF was associated with a lower mean CD4 count (180.58 ± 48.07 cells/mm 3 , P-value < 0.05), higher mean CD8 count (1675.42 ± 407.62 cells/mm3) and CD8/CD4 ratio of 9.27:1. There was significant reduction in lesions following specific treatment for the specific lesion identified. Conclusion: Clinically, it is impossible to differentiate itchy folliculitis and therefore it requires histopathological confirmation. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment for IF can be rapidly beneficial. The highly active antiretroviral therapy along with Isotretinoin therapy has shown marked reduction in the lesions of EF. Familiarity with these lesions may help in improving the quality of lives of the patients.

Bilateral congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, stocker type III with associated findings and review of literature.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung, Stocker's type III is a rare anomaly characterized by replacement of normal pulmonary tissue with cysts of variable size and distribution. We report here a 16-week stillborn fetus with Stocker's type III bilateral CCAM involving the entire lungs. The additional associated malformations included collapsed nasal bridge, low set ears, malformed ears, absence of neck folds, absence of nipples and areolas, tracheal stenosis, fetal hydrops and small heart. The pathogenesis, radiological findings, pathological findings and prognosis of CCAM are discussed along with review of literature.

Histopathological study of pruritic papular eruptions in HIV-infected patients in relationship with CD4, CD8 counts.

Background: Pruritic papular eruptions (PPE) are common cutaneous manifestations in HIV-infected patients. Their frequencies, patterns and associated factors vary from region to region. There is no clear consensus on the etiology of PPE, the exact spectrum of the condition, the pathologic findings, or treatment. The present study is aimed at documenting the histopathological patterns of PPE, and their relation with CD4, CD8 counts in HIV-infected patients. Materials and Methods: The present study lasted for 12 months (September 2005 to August 2006). After informed consent, data on skin disorders, HIV status, CD4 and CD8 counts were obtained by physical examination and laboratory methods. Results: Of the 36 HIV-infected patients with clinical diagnosis of PPE, the most common histopathological patterns were prurigo simplex and eosinophilic folliculitis. The mean CD4 count of PPE was 186.49 cells/mm 3 with mean CD8 count of 619.60 cells/ mm 3 , and the CD4:CD8 ratio was 0.32. Patients with prurigo simplex had significantly lower mean CD4 counts (50.36 ± 30.67 cells/cmm 3 , P < 0.001) while in eosinophilic folliculitis, the mean CD8 counts were higher (1239.77 ± 402.30 cells/cmm 3 ). Conclusion: We conclude that histopathology helps in specifying the pattern of PPE and also indicates underlying immunosuppression and can be a marker of advanced HIV infection. Thus, correlation between the histopathology and immunology findings helps to know the disease process.

Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy.

An adult female patient on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure presented with large, brownish, and indurated plaques with bound-down skin on both lower limbs and abdomen along with difficulty in movement of the legs. Histopathological features revealed thick collagen bundles admixed with mucin and intercalating spindle-like cells characteristic of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). Immunohistochemical study showed prominent CD68 positivity and weak CD34 positivity suggesting that the plaques were more than 20-weeks old. NFD in patients with chronic renal failure of unknown cause is a poor prognostic indicator. Early detection before the development of contracture and prompt treatment of NFD and underlying renal failure may reverse this disabling condition.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney: a case report.

Renal angiomyolipoma is a distinctive benign neoplasm that occurs either sporadically or in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. A 45-year-old woman was admitted with history offlank pain and vomiting. There were no signs suggestive of tuberous sclerosis either in the patient or her family. At operation, she had a left renal mass with nephrolithiasis and hydronephrosis. Histopathology revealed epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the left kidney with chronic pyelonephritis. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of angiomyolipoma. This case is presented to highlight the epithelioid variant of angiomyolipoma which may behave in an aggressive manner.

Gonadoblastoma with contralateral dysgerminoma in a young female--a case report.

Gonadoblastomas are rare germ cell and sex cord stromal tumours, often associated with dysgerminomas. They occur almost entirely in patients with pure or mixed gonadal dysgenesis and in male pseudohermaphroditism. A 19 year old female was admitted in our hospital for evaluation of primary amenorrhoea. She had poor secondary sexual characters, left sided streak gonad and right sided ovarian tumour. Histopathology showed gonadoblastoma in streak gonad with contralateral dysgerminoma. This case is presented because of its rarity and clinical importance of recognizing such cases because of excellent prognosis.

Actinic lichen nitidus.

Many clinical variants of lichen nitidus (LN) have been reported. We describe two children with distribution of LN lesions on sun exposed areas with typical histological features of LN. We propose to add actinic LN as another clinical variant.

Cysticercosis cellulose cutis.

A woman aged 30 years with solitary lesion of cysticercosis cellulose cutis is reported. Cutaneous cysticerci are often a pointer to the involvement of internal organs. Our patient was a pure vegetarian so, probable mode of infection may be ingestion of contaminated vegetables, where the practice of using pig feces as manure is prevalent.