Efficacy and safety of 250 mg versus 500 mg oral terbinafine in the treatment of tinea corporis and cruris: A randomised, assessor-blinded comparative study.

Background Though higher doses of terbinafine are often prescribed to treat dermatophyte infections, it is unknown if such doses are more effective than the conventional dose because comparative data are unavailable. Aim To compare the efficacy and safety of a once-daily dose of oral terbinafine 250 mg with 500 mg along with topical clotrimazole in the treatment of tinea infections. Methods A randomised, assessor-blinded, comparative study was carried out. Each group of subjects were administered either 250 mg or 500 mg oral terbinafine once daily for four weeks, along with topical clotrimazole. Clinical improvement was assessed after two weeks and again after four weeks from treatment initiation. Result A total of 60 patients with tinea corporis and cruris were randomised into two groups receiving either 250 mg (group A) or 500 mg (group B) oral terbinafine, along with clotrimazole cream in both groups. Baseline clinical parameters such as lesional activity (papules, vesicles and pustules), degree of erythema, scaling and severity of itching were comparable between both treatment arms. At the first and second follow-ups, no significant differences were found in the clinical parameters between the two groups. At the end of two weeks 13.8% of group A and 14.3% of group B and after 4 weeks 25.9% of group A and 33.3% of group B participants became KOH negative (P = 1.00 and 0.76, respectively). No significant difference in culture negativity was reported at the end of therapy (four weeks) between the two treatment arms (P = 0.78). Overall cure rates were 20% and 33.3% in the two treatment arms respectively at the end of the study (P = 0.82). Conclusion Oral terbinafine 250 mg daily yielded a poor cure rate in tinea cruris and corporis after 4 weeks of treatment and an increased dose of 500 mg did not have any additional benefit.

Four early warning scores predict mortality in emergency surgical patients at University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The value of early warning scoring systems has been established in high-income countries. There is little evidence for their use in low-resource settings. We aimed to compare existing early warning scores to predict 30-day mortality. METHODS: University Teaching Hospital is a tertiary center in Lusaka, Zambia. Adult surgical patients, excluding obstetrics, admitted for > 24 hr were included in this prospective observational study. On days 1 to 3 of admission, we collected data on patient demographics, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, oxygen administration, temperature, consciousness level, and mobility. Two-, three-, and 30-day mortality were recorded with their associated variables analyzed using area under receiver operating curves (AUROC) for the National Early Warning Score (NEWS); the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS); a modified Hypotension, Oxygen Saturation, Temperature, ECG, Loss of Independence (mHOTEL) score; and the Tachypnea, Oxygen saturation, Temperature, Alertness, Loss of Independence (TOTAL) score. RESULTS: Data were available for 254 patients from March 2017 to July 2017. Eighteen (7.5%) patients died at 30 days. The four early warning scores were found to be predictive of 30-day mortality: MEWS (AUROC, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63 to 0.88; P < 0.001), NEWS (AUROC 0.805; 95% CI, 0.688 to 0.92; P < 0.001), mHOTEL (AUROC 0.759; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.89, P < 0.001), and TOTAL (AUROC 0.782; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.90; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We validated four scoring systems in predicting mortality in a Zambian surgical population. Further work is required to assess if implementation of these scoring systems can improve outcomes.

Safety of important dermatological drugs (retinoids, immune suppressants, anti androgens and thalidomide) in reproductively active males with respect to pregnancy outcome: A brief review of literature.

Paternally transmitted damage to offspring is recognized as a complex issue. Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to a child; hence, it is necessary to know the effects of both maternal and paternal pre-and peri-conceptional exposure to drugs on pregnancy outcome. While there are many studies on the effects of maternal drug exposure on pregnancy outcome, literature on paternal exposure is scarce. Of late however, paternal exposure has been receiving increasing attention. We present a brief review on the safety of commonly used drugs in dermatology, focused on retinoids, immune suppressants, anti androgens and thalidomide.

Chitosan based in situ forming polyelectrolyte complexes: A potential sustained drug delivery polymeric carrier for high dose drugs.

The present study investigated the feasibility of using combination of Cationic and anionic polymers as sustained release carrier for the delivery of high dose gastric acid soluble model drug Paracetamol. Various formulations were prepared using wet granulation technique. Briefly a cooled (4°C) neutral solution of chitosan (CH) was combined with cooled aqueous solution (4°C) of anionic polymer such as Gum Ghatti (GG) and Xanthan gum (XG). This polyelectrolyte solution was then used to granulate the model drug Paracetamol. The prepared tablets were evaluated for various pharmacopoeial and non pharmacopoeial parameters viz. Thickness, Hardness, Friability, Weight Variation, Content uniformity and Drug Content. The drug release study carried out in 0.1M HCl revealed in situ Polyelectrolyte complex formation (PEC) between CH and anionic biopolymers. This in situ PEC formation resulted in sustained delivery of high dose gastric fluid soluble drug Paracetamol. Further, effect of incorporation starch and lactose as tablet diluents on release rate was also studied. It was observed that paracetamol release from lactose granulation was faster than tablets prepared with starch as diluents. From the data generated it was concluded that In situ PEC formation approach has sufficient potential to sustain the release of drugs like paracetamol.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Associated Sporadic Nonfamilial Porphyria Cutanea Tarda.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), a relatively uncommon metabolic disease, is the most common cutaneous porphyria. Here, we present the case of a patient diagnosed with sporadic, nonfamilial PCT that presented with classical cutaneous findings and multiple risk factors, including alcohol abuse, human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS, that have been strongly associated with the sporadic form of PCT.

Unilateral hypertrophic skin lesions, hemimegalencephaly, and meningioma: The many faces of Proteus syndrome.

Proteus syndrome is a rare condition with a wide spectrum of abnormalities. It is characterized by hamartomatous malformations involving multiple organs. Serious complications may ensue, such as pulmonary embolism, cystic lung disease, and various neoplasms such as parotid adenomas, ovarian cystadenomas, and meningiomas. We report here a case of Proteus syndrome in a 21-year-old woman who had facial hemihypertrophy, cerebriform plantar hyperplasia, hemimegalencephaly, and meningioma for the rarity of the entity.

Safety and effectiveness of autoinoculation therapy in cutaneous warts: a double--blind, randomized, placebo--controlled study.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the availability of multiple treatment options, viral warts are known for their persistence and recurrence, causing frustration to patients and treating physicians. AIMS: To study the effectiveness and safety of autoinoculation as a treatment modality in cutaneous warts. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out. In the treatment group, full-thickness warty tissue was excised, minced and implanted in a small dermal pocket. In the control group, warty tissue was only excised and not implanted, though a dermal pocket was made. Patients were evaluated every four weeks with lesion counts. The procedure was repeated at 4 and 8 weeks. Response was assessed at each visit and at 12 weeks. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with cutaneous warts (male: female=32:16) were randomized into autoinoculation and control groups. The number of warts at baseline was comparable in both groups (P=0.293). Reduction in the number of warts was significantly more in the autoinoculation group (8.50±13.88) than in the control group (10.04±5.80) from 8 weeks onwards (P=0.010). Complete resolution occurred only in the autoinoculation group, in 62.5% of cases. Adverse effects were seen in 11 patients, including infection of the donor site (5 cases), keloid formation (3) and hypopigmentation (3). CONCLUSION: Autoinoculation may be an effective therapeutic modality for cutaneous warts and two sessions may be required for optimum results.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa affecting 3 successive generations.

A 24-year-old man presented with multiple mildly itchy flesh-colored papules and plaques on both legs for the past decade. The lesions were preceded by transient vesicles that contained clear fluid. The papules and plaques used to develop on sites where vesicles had healed. Many family members in three generations had similar lesions (Figure 1). On examination, multiple discrete flesh-colored papules and plaques were found on both lower extremities, extending from the feet up to the knees (Figures 2 and 3). A few of the plaques were excoriated. No vesicles or bullae were noted, and the skin in between the lesions appeared normal. The nail of left great toe was discolored and dystrophic. The rest of the mucocutaneous examination was unremarkable. Bullous lichen planus, Neckam's disease, lichenoid amyloidosis, and epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa (EBP) were considered as differential diagnoses. Histopathology from the plaque showed a subepidermal cleft with no inflammatory cells. The epidermis was acanthotic at places, and the dermis appeared normal (Figure 4a and 4b). Based on clinical presentation and histopathology, a diagnosis of EBP was made.

Zinc and skin: a brief summary.

Zinc is an essential trace element that is an integral component of many metallo-enzymes in the body and thus serves many biological functions. The clinical presentation of zinc deficiency varies and depends on serum zinc level. Whereas a significantly low serum zinc level results in clinical features similar to acrodermatitis enteropathica, mild hypozincemia presents with a less characteristic appearance; hence it may be underdiagnosed. Recognition of various cutaneous lesions is required for suspecting and identifying cases of zinc deficiency. Although many laboratory tests are useful, therapeutic response in suspected cases remains the gold standard of diagnosis. Serum zinc estimation alone is not very reliable because disease activity may not necessarily correlate with serum zinc level. Zinc supplementation results in a rapid response and the skin lesions heal without permanent sequelae. However, pigmentary alterations may persist longer. Predisposing factors should be identified and corrected. This brief review summarizes the identification and management of clinical zinc deficiency.

Granulosis rubra nasi: a rare condition treated successfully with topical tacrolimus.

A 20 years-old girl presented with multiple asymptomatic reddish vesicles on face for four years. It used to get worse in summer and was associated with localized hyperhidrosis. The lesions were notable for disappearance on diascopy. Histopathology from the vesicle showed mononuclear cell infiltration in the upper dermis, especially around eccrine sweat apparatus, along with dilatation of superficial capillaries and lymphatics. Based on clinical presentation and histopathology, diagnosis of Granulosis rubra nasi (GRN) was made. GRN usually resolves at puberty; however, rarely it may persist in adulthood. We here report a case of GRN having lesions persisting in adulthood. Moreover, she showed excellent response to topical tacrolimus, a finding not observed in literature.