A Comparative Study between Autologous Noncultured Trypsinized Melanocytes-Keratinocytes Cell Suspension and Autologous Noncultured Nontrypsinized Epidermal Cells Grafting (Jodhpur Technique) in Stable Vitiligo.

Background: Noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) and Jodhpur technique (JT) are two treatment options in vitiligo, in which the basic principle is the transfer of melanocytes from uninvolved skin to stable vitiligo patch in the form of either tissue graft or cellular graft. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of two different treatment methods (NCES and JT) in stable vitiligo. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized comparative study, which included 45 patients with 153 stable vitiligo patches. Cases were randomly divided into two groups. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 45 cases, female-to-male ratio was 1.36:1. Mean duration of disease and stability were found to be 10.44 ± 5.24 and 3.83 ± 2.31 years, respectively. Mean size of treated area for NCES and JT was 10.11 ± 10.31 and 10.13 ± 10.29 cm2, respectively. Earliest repigmentation was found at 3 weeks in NCES and 6 weeks in JT. At 6 weeks, repigmentation was better in NCES, whereas later JT showed better pigmentation. Follow-up was done at 8 days and 6, 10, 14, and 24 weeks. With respect to color match at 6 weeks, JT was found superior; however, at 24 weeks both showed similar efficacy. Mean reduction in daily life quality index was significantly decreased post-surgery. Limitations: This was a single-center, small sample size study. Conclusion: Melanocyte plus keratinocyte cell transfer is very effective in the treatment of stable vitiligo. On the basis of the results, JT may show significant contribution in vitiligo.

A Comparative Study of Efficacy of 5% Minoxidil and 5% Minoxidil Plus Platelet-Rich Plasma in Same Patient for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by androgen-related progressive thinning of the scalp hair in a defined pattern. It has an effect on social and psychological well-being of the patient. It is often recalcitrant to medical treatment alone. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of 5% minoxidil and 5% minoxidil plus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in same patient for the treatment of AGA. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized study was conducted on 50 patients of AGA attending the outdoor department. Scalp of each patient was divided into right side and left side, to compare the effectiveness of 5% minoxidil on the right side with combination of 5% minoxidil and intradermal PRP on the left side at an interval of 1 month for a period of 6 months. Clinical improvement was assessed monthly till 6 months by the serial hair pull test, global photography, patient satisfaction score, trichoscopic evaluation, and hair density. Results: For post-procedure subjective perception at the end of 6 months, the minoxidil 5% side showed good response in 41% (n = 18), moderate in 20% (n = 9), and poor in 39% (n = 17), whereas the PRP + minoxidil 5% side showed good response in 59% (n = 26), moderate in 16% (n = 7), and poor in 25% (n = 11) of the patients. Conclusion: The combination consists of 5% minoxidil and intradermal PRP, which appears to be simple, safe, and effective treatment in AGA. It can be used in poor responders in conventional medical therapy.

Tertiary Health Care-Based Randomized Controlled Study to Compare Autologous, Non-cultured, Non-trypsinized Epidermal Cell Transplant (Jodhpur Technique) with Split-Thickness Skin Grafting (STSG) in Stable Vitiligo.

Background: Surgical treatment of vitiligo is reserved for stable recalcitrant vitiligo patches. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is an important established modality for the surgical treatment of vitiligo, whereas autologous, non-cultured, non-trypsinized epidermal cell transplant, also known as Jodhpur technique (JT), is an unconventional innovative surgical modality for the treatment of stable vitiligo. Aims: To compare the two techniques, JT and STSG, with regards to the extent and pattern of repigmentation achieved, color matching of the repigmented area, patient satisfaction (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] questionnaire and patient global assessment), and adverse events (if any) in patients with stable vitiligo. Materials and Methods: It was a randomized comparative study. We randomized 32 patients with 180 stable vitiligo lesions into two groups. Patients in group 1 were treated with JT, and those in group 2 with STSG. They were subjectively evaluated 20 weeks post-surgery for the extent of repigmentation, color match, change in DLQI score, and patient satisfaction. The categorical data were presented as number (percent) and were compared among groups using Chi-square test. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for demographic data, and they were also compared by using student t-test. Probability P value < 0.001 was considered statistically significant. Results: The extent of repigmentation was excellent (90%-100% repigmentation) in 72.5% of lesions in the JT group and in 40% of lesions in the STSG group (P < 0.001). Seventy-five percent repigmentation (good repigmentation) was observed in 95% of lesions in the JT group and in 83.75% of lesions in the STSG group (P = 0.040). There was a highly significant decline in DLQI score. Post-procedure DLQI (0.79 ± 1.13) and pre-procedure DLQI (15.39 ± 4.76) in the JT group were compared with post-procedure DLQI (3.85 ± 2.89) and pre-procedure DLQI (16.19 ± 4.56) in the STSG group. The mean decline among groups differed significantly (P < 0.001). Adverse events were significantly higher in the STSG group at the recipient site. Conclusions: JT is found to be significantly better than STSG with regard to the degree of repigmentation.

A clinicopathological pattern of cutaneous tuberculosis and HIV concurrence in western Rajasthan.

Background: Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) forms a small subset of extrapulmonary TB and continues to be a significant diagnostic dilemma in routine practice. The present study is an attempt to find the incidence, clinical spectrum, and histopathological features of cutaneous TB in western Rajasthan. The relation of cutaneous TB with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was also assessed. Method: A total of 40 cases of newly diagnosed patients of cutaneous TB attending the dermatology outpatient department over a period of 1 year were included in the study. A detailed clinical examination and investigations including histopathological examination were carried out. Results: The overall incidence of cutaneous TB was 0.025% (40 of 160,000 outpatients). HIV concurrence was 5% (2 cases) of all cutaneous TB cases. The most common variants were scrofuloderma (40%), lupus vulgaris (30%), TB verrucosa cutis (8%), orificial TB (2%), and lichen scrofulosorum (2%). Males suffered more than females (2.07:1) and all patients belonged to lower socioeconomic class. The Mantoux test was positive in 65% of cases. Extracutaneous involvement occurred in 17 (42.50%) cases. Characteristic well-defined tuberculoid granulomas were seen in 60% of cases, whereas 40% of cases showed nonspecific changes. Conclusion: : This study provides the epidemiological data of cutaneous TB in western Rajasthan, identifies the clinicohistopathological pattern, and calls the attention of the health-care professionals that they should improve the propaedeutics of neglected and underdiagnosed cases of cutaneous TB that is prevalent in the lower socioeconomic group. Due to the varied clinical presentations, physician awareness and a high index of suspicion are necessary to diagnose cutaneous forms of TB.

Atrichia congenita.

Atrichia congenita is a rare genodermatoses is characterized by a mutation of the human hairless (HR) gene on chromosome 8p22. There is loss of scalp hair between one to six months of age, after which no growth occurs. Eyebrow, eyelash, and body hair may also be sparse or absent; patients may have a few pubic and axillary hairs. The condition may present in isolation or along with other defects.