Kaposi Sarcoma in an Immunocompetent Patient Treated With Paclitaxel.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a rare multifocal tumor originating from the cells lining the blood vessels. It is characterized by vascular proliferation and is usually associated with immunosuppression due to multiple factors, including AIDS or organ transplantation. However, sporadic cases of KS have been reported in HIV-negative immunocompetent patients. Paclitaxel has shown efficacy and may be an alternative for the initial therapy of patients with KS. We report a case of KS in a 70-year-old Asian male who was HIV-negative, with no history of immunosuppression or homosexuality and a good response to treatment with Paclitaxel.

Pediatric Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Clinico-Epidemiological Study from North India.

BACKGROUND: There has been an upsurge in the cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis over the past few years in the pediatric population of Jammu and Kashmir, hitherto a nonendemic area for the disease., The aim of this study was to describe the clinico-epidemiological profile and therapeutic outcome of pediatric cutaneous leishmaniasis (PCL) over a 10-year period in J and K. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir over a period of 10 years (July 2010-June 20). Children presenting to the outpatient department with lesions suggestive of CL were enrolled. Patients suspected of having CL based on clinical criteria were subjected to slit skin smears (SSS) and histopathological examination (HPE) for validation of the diagnosis. Intralesional or systemic sodium stibogluconate (SSG) was the treatment modality used for the management of patients. Clinical follow-up was done at intervals of 2 weeks for the first 2 months and monthly thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 376 cases of CL in children aged 1.5-15 years (mean age 8.4 ± 1.4 years) were included in the study. The duration of the disease ranged from 8 to 52 weeks (mean 22.52 ± 1.5 weeks). Lesions were noted mainly on exposed parts of the body, with face being the most commonly affected site (89.0%). Nodulo-ulcerative plaques were the predominant clinical presentation (62.76%). The diagnosis was confirmed by the demonstration of Leishman Donovan (LD) bodies in 54.25% on SSS- and 25.79% on hematoxylin and eosin -stained tissue sections. In cases where diagnosis could not be confirmed by demonstration of LD body, a histological pattern conforming to CL and response to a therapeutic trial of SSG provided evidence of leishmanial infection. Complete healing was achieved in 95.02% of the cases at the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: CL is an emerging health problem in the pediatric population of Jammu and Kashmir. Awareness among pediatric health workers regarding this disease and recognition among the differential diagnosis of ulcerated papules or plaques in the pediatric population is imperative.

Clinical and epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two tertiary care hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir: An emerging disease in North India.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are reporting to tertiary care centers in Jammu and Kashmir, an area that has previously been non-endemic for this disease. This merits consideration of CL as a major health problem of considerable epidemiological importance. The aims of this study were firstly to describe the clinico-epidemiological profile, therapeutic characteristics, and outcomes of patients with CL and secondly to highlight this union territory as a new focus of endemicity for CL. METHODS: A two-center hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir over a period of 10 years (July 2009 to June 19). All patients presenting to the outpatient departments with lesions suggestive of CL were enrolled for the purpose of this study. Demographic data were recorded on a proforma questionnaire, along with a detailed history and the results of a meticulous examination. Patients diagnosed with CL based on clinical criteria were subjected to slit skin smear (SSS) and histopathological examination for confirmation of the diagnosis. An intralesional pentavalent antimonial, sodium stibogluconate (SSG), was administered at a dose of 0.5 mL/cm2 (100 mg/mL solution) three times weekly to those patients with smaller lesions, and intravenously or intramuscularly at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day to those with larger lesions. The response to treatment was assessed by total re-epithelialization of the lesion and an absence of infiltration and erythema, with or without scarring. Treatment was given until complete resolution of the lesions or for a maximum duration of 10 weeks when given intralesionally and 3 weeks when given systemically. Clinical follow-up was performed twice weekly for the first 2 months and monthly thereafter. The final response to treatment was assessed at 6 months. RESULTS: The study included a total of 1300 patients with a mean age of 26.7 ± 18.5 years. The mean duration of the disease was 28.52 ± 13.5 weeks, ranging from 8 to 64 weeks. Lesions were noted mainly on exposed parts of the body, with the face being the most commonly affected site (89.00%). Nodulo-ulcerative plaques were the predominant lesion type observed (73.92%). The presence of Leishman-Donovan bodies could be demonstrated on SSS and histopathology in 60.69% and 39.54% of patients, respectively. The presence of a recognizable histological pattern conforming to CL and a response to a therapeutic trial of SSG was considered to be confirmatory in the remaining patients. Complete cure was achieved in 84.23% of cases during the study period. Single lesions were more likely to respond to treatment as compared to multiple lesions. The route of administration did not have any significant impact on the final outcome. CONCLUSIONS: With the disease showing an escalating trend in Jammu and Kashmir, the possibility of a new focus of endemicity and its impact on public health need to be contemplated, and appropriate measures should be initiated to contain its spread.

Serum Vitamin D Levels and Alopecia Areata- A Hospital Based Case-Control Study from North-India.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by hair loss and affects any hair-bearing area. Low levels of Vitamin D have been implicated in a variety of autoimmune diseases. This study was conducted to assess the levels of Vitamin D in patients with AA and its correlation with severity, pattern, and extent of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital-based study included 135 cases with AA and 135 age- and sex-matched controls. AA cases were grouped according to the severity, pattern, and extent of the disease. The levels of Vitamin D were assessed and compared between cases and controls and among different groups of cases. The data were analyzed, and the correlation was derived. RESULTS: The more number of patients from the case group had deficient and insufficient levels of Vitamin D as compared to controls, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.01). A highly significant difference was found in mean Vitamin D levels between cases and controls (P = 0.0004). A negative correlation was found between Vitamin D levels and severity of AA as accessed by SALT score. A negative correlation was also found between Vitamin D levels with pattern and extent of the disease. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency may be one of the factors having a role either in etiopathogenesis or exacerbation of AA. Supplementation of Vitamin D as a treatment modality may improve the clinical outcome of AA.