Interactions between human immunodeficiency virus and herpes viruses within the oral mucosa.

There is evidence from clinical case reports and epidemiological studies that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transmitted through oral sex. Herpes viruses that appear in the oral mucosa might influence the oral replication of HIV. A review of data suggesting that interactions occur between HIV and herpes viruses indicates that such interactions might operate in the oral mucosa. Defining the mechanisms by which herpes viruses interact with HIV in the oral mucosa should permit intervention measures to be targeted more precisely.

Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Therapy systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been generally discouraging. Methyl-prednisolone pulse therapy has been used for various connective tissue disorders. We used intravenous dexamethasone cyclophosphamide pulse therapy to treat SLE. METHODS: Fourteen patients (10 females and 4 males) between the age of 15-48 years with definite or classical clinical criteria laid by American Rheumatism Association criteria were treated by Dexamethasone-Cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP) therapy at our center. RESULTS: It was possible to induce a complete clinical remission with DCP therapy in most of the patients thereby offering them life free from disease and drugs. The side effects commonly observed with conventional daily dose regimen of corticosteroids were not present or were mild. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all patients had good response after 3-4 pulses to allow them a normal life style. Fever, malar rash and oral ulceration responded early but photosensitivity, discoid rash, alopecia and joint pains took some more time.

Ectrodactyly.

A rare case of ectrodactyly or lobster claw without any other ectodermal involvement is presented. His family history was non-contributory.

Chemical peeling--glycolic acid versus trichloroacetic acid in melasma.

Melasma continues to be a therapeutic challenge. 100 patients of melasma not responding to conventional depigmenting agents were divided into 2 groups, one treated with 55-75% glycolic acid (68 patients) and the other with 10-15% trichloroacetic acid (32 patients). Applications were made after every 15 days and response assessed clinically along with relapse or hyperpigmentation after 3 month follow up period. More than 75% improvement was seen in 30%, and 50-75% improvement in 24% patients. Response with TCA was more rapid as compared to GA. Chronic pigmentation responded more favourably to TCA. Relapse and hyperpigmentation was more-25% in TCA as compared to 5.9% GA. Sun exposure was the most important precipitating factor followed by pregnancy and drugs.

Vegetable and fruit contact dermatitis among housewives-study of 25 cases.

Almost all women have to handle vegetables and fruits, so vegetable and fruit contact dermatitis in females has surfaced as a dermatological problem. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the contact sensitization pattern of various vegetables and fruits in housewives in north-west Rajasthan. Thirty-eight commonly used vegetables and fruits extracted/crushed allergen's patch tests were applied as such over back of 25 women having eczema of thumhs, index and middle fingers, 1st and 2nd web spaces, palmar and dorsal aspect of hands. Patch tests were read after 48 and 72 hours and graded as ICDRG. Out of them we obtained positive results in 20(80%), with single allergen positivity in 6 (24%) an11 multiple allergen positivity in 14 (56%).

Histoid, a clinical variant of multibacillary leprosy: report from so-called nonendemic areas

This is a hospital-based study of 25 biopsy-proven cases of histoid leprosy in the arid, northwest Rajasthan region of India. Over an 11-year span, a total of 893 new cases of leprosy were diagnosed at our institution. These 25 histoid cases thus make up 2.8% of our new patients. Various clinical and laboratory observations are summarized and compared to other published series.

Histoid, a clinical variant of multibacillary leprosy: report from so-called nonendemic areas.

This is a hospital-based study of 25 biopsy-proven cases of histoid leprosy in the arid, northwest Rajasthan region of India. Over an 11-year span, a total of 893 new cases of leprosy were diagnosed at our institution. These 25 histoid cases thus make up 2.8% of our new patients. Various clinical and laboratory observations are summarized and compared to other published series.

Acrokerato - elastoidosis of costa: Report of three cases.

Three cases of acrokeratoelastoidosis of Costa are reported. All the patients were females with marginal keratodermas composed of cornified papules, some of which were umbilicated, distributed along the borders of the hands and feet. A positive family history was present in all the cases.

Dexamethasone - Cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP) therapy in Pemphigus.

Of the 37 patients enrolled for this treatment, 13 have been lost to follow up and 4 have died. Of the remaining 20, 8 are already in remission (40%), while 12 are still having active disease. Of the 8 patients who are now in remission, 1 is in phase II and taking monthly dexamethasone cyclophosphamide pulse and 50 mg cyclophosphamide daily while in 3 patients all the treatment has already been withdrawn (phase IV). All these patients are being followed up for any recurrence. The duration of remission has been more than 6 months in 7 patients (maximum 2 years). The chief side-effect observed was increased susceptibility to pyogenic and candidal infections of the skin and oral mucosa respectively. The other side-effects noted were generalized weakness and lethargy following DCP (1), irregular menstrual periods (1), amenorrhoea (1), general darkening of complexion (1), steroid psychosis (1), transient eosinophilia (1) and marked transient oligospermia.

Juvenile generalized pustular psoriasis.

A 4-year-old boy had a generalized, confluent, pustular eruption on an erythematous base of three weeks' duration. He was febrile and toxic. He had had a similar problem at age 5 months that lasted for about four weeks. The child was initially treated conservatively, but later developed erythroderma and became increasingly toxic. This necessitated administration of oral methotrexate 2.5 mg/day at weekly intervals. After two pulses there was marked improvement in his psoriasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jodhpur district.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease with a wide geographical distribution in a range of climate and with different epidemiological patterns. In Rajasthan a new endemic zone of the disease has been found at Jodhpur district. The clincial features of 21 smear positive cases of oriental sore from Jodhpur district studied during a period of 1 year have been described. Also the importance of intralesional berberine sulphate in the treatment of oriental sore has been highlighted.