A study of peripheral T-Lymphocytes in alopecia areata.

Estimation of peripheral T-lymphocytes (active and total) was carried out in 100 cases of alopecia areata as per method described by Boyam (1977) and West et al (1978). Clinically patients were divided in two groups, alopecia areata circumscribed (group I) and severe alopecia areata (group II). Thirty healthy subjects served as controls. Decrease in percentage of both active and total E-RFC was observed in 70% cases. The decrease was more significant in group II.

Acneform eruptions and antitubercular drugs.

Out of total 774 cases under antitubercular therapy only 11 cases (1.42%) developed acneform eruptions. Individual drugs found to cause these eruptions were Isoniazid (0.53%), Rifampicin (1.48%) and Ethambutol (0.63%).

Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum.

A case of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum having some classical features with dilatation of retinal vessels, but without urinary signs of renal involvement, is reported.

A study of immunoglobulins and complements (C3 & C4) in alopecia areata.

Estimation of serum Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) and complements (C3 and C4) was carried out in 100 cases of alopecia areata as per method described by Mancini (1965).[1] Clinically patients were divided in two groups, alopecia areata circumscribed (group I) and severe alopecia areata (group II). Significant decrease in levels of one or more Immunoglobulins were observed in most of the patients. However, Serum complements (C3 and C4) were within range of normal control values.

Mast cell in leprosy.

Mast cell distribution in the affected skin and in the apparently normal skin at least 10 cm away from the lesion was studied in 250 leprosy patients. These cells were found and were more numerous in the apparently normal skin of established cases of leprosy as well amongst indeterminate group. Absence of mast cells was conspicuous in 16.7% LL, 41.7% BB, 40.9% BT, and 68.0% TT lesions. It is suggested that mast cells might play a role in the early stages of the disease and in postreactional connective tissue proliferation.

A report on six cases of histoid variety of lepromatous leprosy in children.

Six cases of histoid variety of lepromatous leprosy among children below 12 years of age were detected in over 3 years period. Bacteriological index was high (3 to 5+). None of the patients had received any anti-leprosy treatment. It is a public health problem because of infectious nature of the disease, therefore early detection and management of this entity among children is important.

Pattern of Skin Diseases in Urban School Children.

In a survey of 3697 children from 4 urban schools, 529 (14.3%) were found to be having skin diseases. Of these, 286 (53.6%) had communicable dermatomes and nutritional deficiencies. This highlights the importance of imparting proper health education and introduction of mid-day meals to schoolchildren.

Acid mucopolysaccharides in leprosy lesions.

Uniform accumulation of acid mucopolysaccharides in all types of leprosy lesions was seen, except late tuberculoid lesions which showed the accumulation only at the periphery. Absence of acid mucopolysaccharides was significant in well formed epithelioid granulomas and in giant cells of late tuberculoid cases. Generally a progressive decrease with advancing chronicity of the disease was noted. The dermal zone without any cellular infiltrate showed abundant acid mucopolysaccharides in comparison to those areas having inflammatory cell infiltrate in 70.83% of LL, 42.86% of BL, 33.3% of BB, 40.0% of BT, and 13.51% of TT cases. In Indeterminate cases the distribution was same to that of control cases. Testicular hyaluronidase digestion established that hyaluronic acid constituted the main bulk of acid mucopolysaccharides. The possible source of hyaluronic acid is discussed.