Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Natives of Central Region of Nepal.

We report two cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in natives of central region of Nepal. The first patient in our series, an adult female, presented with a small nodule on the philtrum of upper lip and the second case, a male child, presented with two crusted plaques on forehead. The final diagnosis was based on histopathological findings; however, species characterization was not possible because of its unavailability in the country. These patients responded well to the treatment with Miltefosine (First case) and Fluconazole (second case). Moreover, these cases sparks a question about the origin of diseases in this region and calls for further research in future to find out the cause and prevalence of this disease in Nepal. This case report also emphasizes to consider cutaneous leishmaniasis as differential diagnosis for granulomatous presentations in our context.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of xeroderma pigmentosum in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) in Himalayan countries. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical characteristics of XP in Nepal and investigate its genetic bases. METHODS: This study was carried out on all consecutive patients referred for XP to a Nepalese tertiary referral centre in 2014-2015. Clinical data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. DNA was extracted from salivary samples, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was conducted using a panel covering all 8 known XP genes (classical XP (XP-A to XP-G) and XP variant) and a skin cancer modifier gene, the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R). RESULTS: Seventeen patients (median age: 15 years; range: 1-32) were included. Twelve had skin cancers (including a total of 8 squamous cell carcinomas, 60 basal cell carcinomas, ocular carcinomas requiring an orbital exenteration in 3 patients, but no melanoma). Fifteen patients carried the same homozygous non-sense XPC mutation c.1243C>T, p.R415X. A homozygous non-sense XPA mutation (p.W235X) was found in the only patient with a history of early severe sunburn reaction and associated neurological symptoms. Associated genetic alterations included heterozygous missense variants in XPD/ERCC2 gene and the presence of MC1R variant R163Q in 5 and 9 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although not previously reported, XP seems frequent in Nepal. Patients often presented with a very severe phenotype after a long history of excessive sun exposure without knowledge of the disease. Fifteen of 17 had the same p.R415X XPC mutation, which seems very specific of XP in Nepal, suggesting a founder effect. NGS analyses frequently revealed associated genetic alterations which could play a modifier role in the clinical expression of the disease.

Eckols reduce dental pulp inflammation through the ERK1/2 pathway independent of COX-2 inhibition.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of 6-6 bieckol (EB1) and pholorofucofuroeckol-A (EB5) from brown seaweed marine algae (Eisenia bicyclis) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). METHODS: The cytotoxicity of EB1 and EB5 was examined by MTT assay on LPS-induced human dental pulp cells. Their role on expression of inflammatory, odontogenic, and osteogenic molecules was determined by Western blot analysis. The dentin mineralization was checked by alkaline phosphatase activity. RESULTS: The five compounds from E. bicyclis have different structure with non-cytotoxic in HDPCs. EB1 and EB5 showed anti-inflammatory properties and inhibited phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-c-jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK) without any cytotoxicity. In particular, EB1 inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and p-ERK1/2 signaling, and EB5 inhibited only p-ERK1/2 signaling but not COX-2. Both compounds inhibited nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) translocation. Furthermore, EB1 and EB5 increased dentinogenic and osteogenic molecules, and dentin mineralized via alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in LPS-induced HDPCs. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates that EB1 and EB5 have different types of anti-inflammatory property and help in dentin formation. Therefore, these compounds derived from marine algae of E. bicyclis may be used as selective therapeutic strategies for pulpitis and oral diseases.

The influence of time of birth and seasonal variations on weight loss in breastfeeding neonates.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding (BF) neonates generally lose weight after birth. Neonatal factors like gestational age, birth weight and mode of delivery can affect the neonatal weight loss after birth. Similarly, maternal age, parity and illness may contribute to newborn weight loss. However, influence of the time of birth and season on changes in weight is not well elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of birth time and the seasonal variations on weight loss in BF newborns. METHODS: In this retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database of two sets of groups, from January 2013 to October 2016, were evaluated- Birth time group and Seasonal group; Birth time of the groups was: night time 7pm to 7am and day time 7am to 7pm; and the seasonal variations groups studies were summer, fall, winter and spring. Weight loss of >5%, 7%, and 10% at <24 hours (h), 48 h and 72 h of birth, respectively, were considered as a significant weight loss. Preterm, exclusively formula fed and neonates admitted to NICU were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 2044 newborns were analyzed. In the birth time group, babies born during the night time had significantly lost >5% of birth weight at <24 h (p < 0.01) and >7% birth weight at <48 h of life (p < 0.02). Weight loss >10% at <72 h was similar in both birth time cohorts. C-section, prolonged rupture of membrane, and maternal pre-delivery hospital stay for >12 h were significant contributing factors. Whereas, seasonal variations were not associated with weight loss in neonates. CONCLUSION: BF babies born at night time lose significantly more weight during the first two days of life and seasonal association was not found to affect weight loss in the neonates.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis: report of rare cases in Nepal.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is rare in Nepal although visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar) is common in the Terai region. In country like ours where tuberculosis is more prevalent cutaneous leishmaniasis is very likely to be mistreated as cutaneous tuberculosis, especially lupus vulgaris. Here we report a series of four cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis who presented in the out patient department at TUTH in the year 2006.

Herpes zoster in a five month old infant subsequent to intrauterine exposure to varicella infection.

Herpes zoster is characterized by painful vesicular eruption in a dermatomal distribution of sensory nerves as a result of reactivation of latent herpes zoster virus in posterior root ganglia. The primary varicella infection is usually acquired in childhood and reactivation usually is seen in elderly. In rare instances herpes zoster can also occur in infancy as a result of reactivation of primary varicella infection acquired in utero or in early infancy. Here, we report a rare case of herpes zoster in a 5 month baby who acquired primary infection in utero from mother who had varicella infection at 6 months of gestation.