Correlation between serum cardiac troponin I level and PDAI score in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare, yet serious autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the skin and mucous membranes. While the dermatological and mucosal aspects of PV are well-documented, the potential for systemic involvement, particularly cardiac complications, remains under-explored. This study aimed to investigate the serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level in patients with PV versus healthy controls. The relationship between serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels and various demograpgics, clinical and laboratory characteristics in patients with PV was also dealt with. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 59 patients with pemphigus vulgaris and 59 age- and sex- matched healthy controls, visited at a tertiary care hospital from August 2021 to May 2023. After thorough history taking and physical examination, troponin level was measured by the ECL (Electrochemiluminescence) method. The correlation between serum cTnI level and various variables was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The mean serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level in patient group was 0.104 ± 0.05 ng/mL, with a range of 0.01 to 0.25 ng/mL. Despite mean cTnI level in patients was greater than controls, this difference was not reach to the significance level (P value: 0.058). The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.52, p = 0.005310), suggesting that higher PDAI scores were associated with elevated cTnI level. The correlation between serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level and PDAI score, even without any clinical sign or risk factor for cardiovascular disease suggests a potential link between the severity of PV and subtle cardiac involvement, highlighting the importance of cardiac monitoring in these patients.

A Case Series of 36 Patients Treated for Old World Cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Iran. Objective: We sought to investigate the therapeutic outcomes and complications of treatment in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods: This case series enrolled patients with smear-proven cutaneous leishmaniasis who visited our center in Iran from 2018 to 2019. Results: In total, 36 patients were treated with intralesional meglumine antimoniate, intramuscular meglumine antimoniate, sodium stibogluconate, and amphotericin B. Overall, this treatment was effective in 81.8 percent of patients. Relapse and treatment failure occurred in 6.1 percent and 12.1 percent of patients, respectively. Treatment with intralesional meglumine antimoniate, intramuscular meglumine antimoniate, sodium stibogluconate, and amphotericin B yielded a clearance rate of 80.8 percent, 92.3 percent, 75 percent, and 85.7 percent, respectively. Clearance was associated with a shorter time interval between injections of intralesional meglumine antimoniate (p=0.006) and relapse was associated with a longer time interval between injections (p=0.018). The average number of side effects per patient for intralesional meglumine antimoniate, sodium stibogluconate, intramuscular meglumine antimoniate, and amphotericin B was 0.62, 1.4, 1.6, and 2.8, respectively. The most common side effect of intralesional meglumine antimoniate, intramuscular meglumine antimoniate, and amphotericin B was local pain, arthralgia, and hypokalemia, respectively. Limitations: Low sample size was the limitation of this study. Conclusion: The cure rate of intramuscular meglumine antimoniate was higher than amphotericin B, which was higher than the cure rate of sodium stibogluconate. In patients treated with intralesional meglumine antimoniate, reducing the time interval between injections increased the clearance rate and decreased the rate of relapse.

Disseminated protothecosis: Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Human protothecosis is an uncommon infection caused by Prototheca spp that rarely infects humans. AIM: Description of a rare disease and a review of its articles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reported a 24-year-old man who presented with red-brown papules and plaques on the trunk's lateral side. We reviewed the literature about disseminated protothecosis and reported our experience with a patient with protothecosis between 2021 and 2023. RESULTS: Overall, 54 cases of disseminated protothecosis were evaluated, 39 were due to P. wickerhamii, 12 were due to P. zopfii (22.2%), and three were due to Prototheca spp. We found that males were more affected (37 cases, 68.5%) than females (16 cases, 29.6%). The mean age of patients was 39.53 ± 22.48 years. However, disseminated protothecosis can affect people of any age (1-80 years). In contrast to P. wickerhamii, which causes blood, skin, brain, and gastrointestinal tract infections, P. zopfii was mainly found in the blood (7/22) and did not have a significant difference in the mortality rate (P = 0.11). DISCUSSION: Disseminated protothecosis is a rare disease in immunocompromised patients but is generally rarer in immunocompetent hosts. Several underlying disorders include immunocompromised patients, prolonged application of steroids, diabetes mellitus, malignancies, organ transplantation, AIDS, and surgeries. Amphotericin B has been the most effective agent for protothecosis and is reserved for visceral and disseminated infections. Regarding localized cutaneous types, excision or surgical debridement is used. CONCLUSION: Mulberry's appearance and appropriate cultural environments are helpful in diagnosing it.

Clinical and demographic characteristics associated with nail involvement in alopecia areata: A cross-sectional study of 197 patients.

Background and Aims: Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated nonscarring alopecia. Nail changes are a common disfiguring feature of AA with an average prevalence of 30%. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of different types of nail changes and determine demographic and clinical associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 197 AA patients. Demographic and clinical variables including the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, type of AA, and nail changes were evaluated. Results: Among 197 AA patients with a mean age of 28.95 ± 14.45 years, 50.3% were female. Nail changes were detected in 165 patients (83.8%). The most frequent nail abnormalities were pitting (53.3%), linear line (46.7%), and distal notching (26.9%). AA patients with nail abnormalities were significantly younger than patients without nail changes (25.31 ± 14.96 vs. 32.22 ± 9.77 years; p < 0.001). Considering age groups, younger children (less than 10 years) were more likely to have nail changes than adults (97.1% vs. 76.5%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of linear line (69.6%) and distal notching (46.4%) were significantly higher in the universalis variant compared to other variants (p < 0.001). Pitting (54.5%), distal notching (43.9%), and koilonychia (12.1%) were the most common nail changes in severe forms compared to mild-to-moderate forms (p < 0.009). Conclusions: Our study revealed that young patients with severe disease are prone to nail abnormalities. Pitting, distal notching, and linear line were the most common nail changes. Of note, koilonychia, leukonychia, and red spots lunula are more expected in more severe AA.

Effects of age and sex on the comorbidities of alopecia areata: A cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Background and Aims: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune nonscarring hair disorder with strong genetic links. It seems to be associated with several comorbidities affecting the AA treatment plan. On the other hand, the prevalence of comorbidities in different populations can be different based on genetic differences. This study aimed to clarify the association between age and sex with various comorbidities in AA patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 402 patients suffering from AA referred to our hospitals between 2018 and 2021. The clinical records of the patients were reviewed, including demographic and clinical information. Results: The most common diseases associated with AA were anxiety (36%), dermatitis (30%), hypothyroidism (9%), hyperlipidemia (5%), and vitamin D deficiency (4%). The most common comorbidities in AA patients over 18 years were allergic rhinitis, psychological problems, diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism (p < 0.05). Hypothyroidism was more common in female patients than in male patients (p = 0.002). In contrast, hyperlipidemia was more common in male patients than in female patients (p = 0.024). There was a significant association between the severity of AA and hyperlipidemia and vitiligo (p = 0.003 and 0.045). Conclusion: Sex and age could affect comorbidities. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher in our study; it was higher in women than in men. Thyroid function tests were recommended for AA patients.

A Comprehensive Review on HIV-Associated Dermatologic Manifestations: From Epidemiology to Clinical Management.

Dermatological disorders are among the most prevalent manifestations of HIV infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this review, we aimed to characterize the various dermatologic presentations among HIV-infected patients with a detailed categorization of the mucocutaneous signs and symptoms, their etiopathogenic factors, and clinical management. In fact, cutaneous manifestations of HIV are quite various, ranging from AIDS-specific skin eruptions (xerosis, pruritic papular eruptions, eosinophilic folliculitis, and acne), opportunistic infections (herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, cutaneous leishmaniasis, bacillary angiomatosis, disseminated histoplasmosis, disseminated cryptococcosis, and zoster) to AIDS-related malignancies (Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma, and nonmelanoma skin cancers) and antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated drug eruptions. We tried to classify HIV-related cutaneous presentations which can help clinicians for a better understanding of the various specific and nonspecific features of AIDS-associated cutaneous manifestations and management of the condition.

Hearing impairment in patients with alopecia areata.

Background Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that damages hair follicles and follicular melanocytes can be involved in the autoimmune process. Therefore, similar to vitiligo, there may be a relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and alopecia areata. Aims/objectives This study aimed to investigate potential hearing impairments in patients with alopecia areata. Methods A total of 42 subjects with alopecia areata and 42 healthy individuals enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The hearing was evaluated by vestibular evoked myogenic potential, otoacoustic emission and pure tone audiometry tests in the patients and control subjects. Results A normal otoacoustic emission was reported in 59.5% and 100% of subjects with alopecia areata and the controls, respectively (P = 0.02). Higher speech recognition thresholds (P = 0.02) and speech discrimination scores were reported more in subjects with alopecia areata than in controls (P < 0.001); however, the most comfortable level of speech was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.06). The greatest increase in the hearing threshold was recorded at a frequency of 8000 Hz, while at frequencies of 500 and 1000 Hz, the patients and controls did not significantly differ (P > 0.05). About 6 (14.3%) and 2 (4.8%) of patients with unilateral and bilateral involvement, respectively, demonstrated no vestibular evoked myogenic potential response in the alopecia areata group. The patients and controls did not significantly differ in terms of amplitudes of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential test (P = 0.097). Limitation Small sample size and qualitative measurement of otoacoustic emission were limitations of our study. Conclusion Hearing loss was more common in alopecia areata patients than in healthy individuals. Follicular melanocytes may be involved in the alopecia areata inflammatory process, and destroying melanocytes may impact hearing function in the inner ear. However, there was no significant relationship between the duration and severity of alopecia areata and hearing loss.

Granular parakeratosis involving the dorsum of the hands; skin reactions due to irritant agents: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: We described the first case of granular parakeratosis with an unusual presentation of brown discoloration plaques and multiple erythematous on the dorsal part of the patient's hands. Skin maceration and repeated washing could have led to the development of the lesions. Abstract: Granular parakeratosis is a unique acquired keratinization disorder. Here, we described the abnormal presentation of granular parakeratosis. A healthy female aged 27 years old presented brown discoloration plaques and multiple erythematous on the dorsal part of her hands for 8 months. Using detergents, repeated washing, and skin maceration were considered the causes of her lesion.

The Relationship Between ABO and Rh Blood Groups with Alopecia Areata.

INTRODUCTION: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scaring hair loss disease. Genetic susceptibility and environmental factors can develop the disease. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between AA and ABO and Rh blood groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done on 200 patients with AA and 200 healthy controls (HCs) between March 2021 and September 2021. RESULTS: The prevalence of blood groups O, A, B, and AB in patients with AA was 30%, 30.5%, 10.5%, and 29%, respectively. A significant difference was detected between the two groups in the frequency of the ABO and ABO*Rh blood groups (p-value < 0.05). Compared to the HCs, the prevalence of the AB and AB+ blood group was higher in AA patients. No significant relationship was detected between sex, BMI, duration of disease, age at onset, severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score, hair loss pattern, and nail involvement with ABO and Rh blood groups (p-value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the highest difference was related to the AB+ blood group, so compared to HCs, the AB+ blood group frequency was higher in patients with AA. However, more studies with larger sample sizes on different ethnicities should be performed to verify the results of this study.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in patients with alopecia areata: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Background Alopecia areata is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of this condition. Aim To evaluate the serum oxidative stress markers and antioxidant capacity in patients with alopecia areata. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 patients with alopecia areata and 40 healthy controls. The fasting blood sugar, C-reactive protein, lipid profile, and serum oxidative markers, including advanced glycation end products and advanced oxidation protein products, were measured in this study. Also, antioxidant enzymes, including paraoxonase-1, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and serum ferric-reducing antioxidant power, were determined. Results The serum levels of advanced glycation end products and advanced oxidation protein products were significantly higher in patients with alopecia areata, compared to the controls (P < 0.001), whereas the levels of ferric-reducing antioxidant power, paraoxonase-1 and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase were significantly lower in patients with alopecia areata, compared to the controls (P < 0.001). The mean fasting blood sugar level was significantly higher in patients with alopecia areata, compared to the controls. The ferric reducing antioxidant power level was significantly associated with the percentage of hair loss (P = 0.01, r = 0.4) and the serum C-reactive protein level (P = 0.03, r = -0.3) in patients with alopecia areata. Limitations Since the current study had a cross-sectional design, no cause-effect relationship was established between alopecia areata and oxidative stress. The sample size of our study was also small. Conclusion Based on the present results, the oxidant-antioxidant enzymatic system is impaired in alopecia areata due to the increased oxidative products and decreased antioxidant activity.

Toxic epidermal necrosis following Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV): A case report and literature review.

This study reports a patient developing TEN after the first dose of (BBIBP-CorV). He developed numerous purpuric and dusky patches with flaccid bullae and areas of epidermal detachment covered more than 30% of the body area within 6 days. After treatment with dexamethasone and cyclosporin, he recovered within 14 days.

Cutaneous manifestations following COVID-19 vaccination: A report of 25 cases.

Various adverse effects particularly cutaneous manifestations associated with different COVID-19 vaccines have been observed in practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate all patients who presented to our tertiary center with skin manifestations following COVID-19 vaccines injection from September to December 2021. All patients with skin manifestation within 30 days or less following COVID-19 vaccination were enrolled in our case-series. All cases included in our study were diagnosed based on clinical and/or histopathological evaluation and all other possible differential diagnoses were ruled out. Twenty-five individuals including 16 (64%) males and 9 (36%) females with the mean age of 47 ± 17.62 years (range 18-91) were enrolled in our study. Twenty-two (88%) patients developed lesions after Sinopharm vaccine injection and 3 (12%) cases manifested lesions after the AstraZeneca vaccine. Six (24%) patients developed new-onset lichen planus (LP) and 1 (4%) patient manifested LP flare-up. Two (8%) individuals developed psoriasis and 1 (4%) case showed psoriasis exacerbation. One (4%) patient developed new-onset pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and 1 (4%) case experienced a flare of PV lesions. One (4%) patient manifested pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) flare-up. Other new-onset cases were as follows: toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) (n = 1, 4%), bullous pemphigoid (BP) (n = 2, 8%), alopecia areata (AA) (n = 2, 8%), pytriasis rosea (n = 1, 4%), herpes zoster (n = 1, 4%), cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (n = 1, 4%), erythema multiform (EM) and urticaria (n = 3, 12%), and morphea (n = 1, 4%). Physicians should be aware of the possible side effects especially cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19 vaccines.

Cutaneous lymphangioma secondary to breast cancer radiotherapy after mastectomy: A case report.

A 60-year-old woman presented with non-itchy shiny translucent papules on her right breast surface. She had a history of quadrantectomy and chemoradiotherapy due to medullary breast carcinoma 20 years ago. Cutaneous lymphangioma occurred secondary to surgery and radiotherapy 8 years ago. It is a late complication of breast cancer treatment.

Sleep disturbance in alopecia areata: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a nonscarring hair loss with autoimmune pathophysiology, which is associated with psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression. Sleep disorders are commonly seen with anxiety and depression. Here we evaluate the sleep quality of AA patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 51 AA patients and 51 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The sleep quality and day sleepiness were evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires. The severity of AA was evaluated with the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT). Results: Unlike the ESS score, the mean PSQI score was significantly higher in the AA group compared with the controls (7 ± 4.13 vs. 3.53 ± 1.96, p < 0.001). The number of cases with ESS ≥ 11, indicating the excess daytime sleepiness, was significantly higher in the AA group compared with controls (15 vs. 6, p = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between PSQI score and age, age of onset of the disease, or SALT score (p > 0.05). Anxiety and depression were more common in the AA group versus controls (p = 0.9). PSQI score was higher in AA patients who had anxiety and depression compared with those who did not (9.9 ± 5.28 vs. 4.76 ± 3.08, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Sleep quality is impaired in AA patients. As expected, sleep would be more disturbed in AA cases with depression or anxiety. Therefore, attention to sleep quality and concomitant psychiatric diseases is essential in AA clinical management.

A split-face comparison of fractional erbium: YAG laser plus Kligman's formula vs. Kligman's formula monotherapy for facial melasma.

Melasma is a chronic hyperpigmentation disorder. Although several treatment methods are used for patients, it remains a challenging problem for physicians. Erbium-YAG laser is one of the laser treatment methods that proved its efficacy in melasma treatment. We aimed to compare the efficacy of combining the fractional Er: YAG laser and Kligman's formula with Kligman's formula alone in the treatment of melasma. Twenty female patients with bilateral melasma were randomly treated in a split-face controlled manner with a fractional Er: YAG laser followed by Kligman's formula on one side and Kligman's formula on the other side. All patients received three laser sessions with four-week intervals. The efficacy of treatments was determined through photographs, Visioface, and Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) score, all performed at baseline and three months after the end of laser sessions. Fractional Er: YAG laser and Kligman's formula showed a significant decrease in MASI score than Kligman's formula alone (P = 0.005). There was a significant decrease in cheek Visioface score on Er: YAG laser and Kligman's formula vs Kligman's formula (P = 0.02). However, the Patient Global Assessment Scale of both sides was not statistically significant (P = 0.23). The combination of Fractional Er: YAG laser with Kligman's formula is an effective treatment method for melasma.

The Serum Level of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Patients with Psoriasis: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: soriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease. Previous studies have indicated a possible role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare special oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in psoriatic patients. METHODS: This study included 35 patients with psoriasis and 35 healthy controls. Serum levels of oxidant markers, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), as well as antioxidant enzymes, including lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), were measured. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 39.63±13 years in the case group and 39.37±12.62 years in the control group (p=0.92). The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores of these groups were 15.27 and 10.47. The mean levels of fasting blood sugar and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the case group than the control group (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). Moreover, the mean levels of AGEs and AOPPs in the case group were significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.001), while the mean levels of FRAP, PON1, and LCAT were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (p=0.001). There was no significant association between PASI and oxidant or antioxidant markers, except for AOPP, which had a negative association with PASI. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an imbalance among oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The oxidant-antioxidant enzymatic system is impaired in psoriasis as a result of increased oxidant products and reduced antioxidant activity.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Pregnancy due to Ondansetron with a Favorable Outcome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an uncommon, life-threatening hypersensitivity drug reaction with a high mortality rate that involves the skin and mucous membranes. Most reported cases involving pregnant patients were seen in those with human immunodeficiency virus. Here, we discuss a 21-year-old Iranian woman who presented at 18 weeks' gestation with extensive TEN following the administration of ondansetron with no any other risk factors.

Illness perception in patients with Alopecia areata under topical immunotherapy.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated disorder. There is little research on how AA patients conceptualize their disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and attitude of patients with AA about their illness. The cross-sectional study was performed on 102 patients with AA referred to our alopecia clinic. Patients between 16 and 60 years were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire including demographic and clinical characteristics and Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) was administered to each patient. More than half of patients (55%) experienced their illness as a long-lasting (17.3 ± 5.5, median reference score = 18), and timely variable (13.4 ± 2.8, median reference score = 12) disorder. Patients perceived that their illness negatively affects their lives (18.9 ± 4.8, median reference score = 18) and are considered an effective role for themselves in controlling disease (20.3 ± 4.9, median reference score = 18). Moreover, patients had a fairly good accepting of their illness (13.4 ± 2.8, median reference score = 15). We observed significant negative effects of illness on the patient's emotions (21.5 ± 5.5, median reference score = 18). We also found that men had a stronger belief in personal control compared with women (21.5 ± 4.8 vs 19.5 ± 4.8; P = .03). A positive correlation was observed between educational status and illness coherence (r = .21; P = .03). Most patients with AA considered undesirable consequences of their illness. High scores of negative affective symptoms indicate the harmful effects of this disease on patients' lives leading to problems of mental health.

Coagulation status in patients with alopecia areata: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease that causes non-scarring hair loss with lymphatic infiltration around and within follicles. There are interactions between inflammation and coagulation. The present study investigated the changes in coagulation status in patients with AA. METHODS: In this study, the plasma level of three coagulation markers including fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer were measured in 30 patients (21 females 9 male) and 30 controls (21 females 9 male) matched by age and sex, and the results were compared between groups. RESULTS: Plasma D-dimer levels were significantly higher in patients with AA (398.45±300 ng/mL vs. 244.4±129.92 ng/mL, P=0.014). Plasma fibrinogen and CRP levels were not significantly different between the two groups. There was no correlation between the plasma levels of the studied coagulation markers and the severity/duration of the disease, sex, and age. CONCLUSIONS: As the present study was the first investigation on the coagulation status in patients with AA, elevated D-dimer levels in alopecia areata may suggest a deficient coagulation in these patients that may contribute to an increase in the risk of thrombosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate this hypothesis using a larger sample size.