[Cutaneous larva migrans: report of three cases from the Western Black Sea Region, Turkey]. / Kütanöz larva migrans: Bati Karadeniz Bölgesi'nden üç olgu sunumu.

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitosis frequently seen in persons who have travelled to tropical or subtropical regions and in those who have worked in contact with soil. The disease frequently develops due to Ancylostoma braziliensis and Ancylostoma caninum species. After penetrating the skin and entering the body, the hookworm larva proceeds to bore tunnels through the epidermis, creating pruritic, erythematous, serpiginous lesions. Secondary bacterial infections of the lesions can often be seen, especially on the legs and buttocks. In this article we presented three atypical local cases which have not been declared previously in our country. The first case, a 54-year-old male who was admitted to hospital in August with complaints of an obverse body rash and itching lasting for a week. Eruptions were observed over a small area on the right side of the abdomen, consisting of itchy, raised, erythematous, curvilinear string-like lesions. Moreover, no eosinophilia was detected in the patient, whose culture showed a growth of Streptococcus pyogenes. The patient was clinically diagnosed with CLM accompanied by secondary bacterial infection and treated for three days with 1 g of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, mupirocin cream and albendazole 400 mg/d. Under this regime, the lesions were seen to decline. The second case, a 38-year-old male was also admitted in August, complaining of itching and redness on his body. The patient, whose blood count values were normal, exhibited itchy, raised, serpiginous string-like lesions located on the left side of his body. The patient, whose bacterial culture was negative, was clinically diagnosed as CLM and treated for three days with albendazole 400 mg/d and the lesions were seen to improve. The third case, a 23-year old male was admitted in September complaining of itching and redness on his neck. An itchy, crescent-shaped erythematous lesion was detected on his neck; bacteriological cultures and blood count were normal. The common feature for all three cases was the story of working in a hazelnut orchard and mowing weeds using a motorized string trimmer (weed whacker). None of them had a history of travel outside the country. Therefore CLM assumed to be occurred due to the aeration of surface earth layer with the force of motorized string trimmer and entrance of the larvae were from the open parts of the body. In conclusion, it should be keep in mind that hookworm larva-related CLM can be encountered in our country, and reporting of the patients with similar findings are necessary to determine the prevalence of this parasitosis in our country.

Rosacea and exposure to tandoor heat: Is there an association?

BACKGROUND: Particularly in eastern and southeastern regions of Turkey, women use tandoor ovens to bake bread and as a result are exposed to excessive heat. Exposure to heat for long periods may lead to the initiation or exacerbation of rosacea. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between exposure to heat from a tandoor and rosacea. METHODS: A total of 350 female patients with various dermatological diseases were included in this study. These patients were divided into two groups comprising a control group and a group of tandoor users. Subjects in both the control and tandoor-user groups were screened to identify clinical and other characteristics, and symptoms and findings of rosacea and other dermatological disorders. RESULTS: The frequency of rosacea was significantly (P < 0.001) higher and that of acne markedly (P < 0.001) lower in the tandoor-user group than in the control group. Incidences of temporary and persistent types of erythema and telangiectasia, which are considered to be among the symptoms and findings of rosacea, were also significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the tandoor-user group than the control group. Frequencies of asthma and ex-smoker status differed significantly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.002, respectively) between the tandoor-user and control groups. Furthermore, the period of exposure to tandoor heat was positively correlated with the frequency of telangiectasia (r = 0.321, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a strong association between exposure to tandoor heat and rosacea. Further studies including higher numbers of patients are required to confirm our results.

Pustular irritant contact dermatitis caused by dexpanthenol in a child.

Pustular irritant contact dermatitis is rare and unusual clinic form of contact dermatitis. Dexpanthenol is the stable alcoholic analogue of pantothenic acid. It is widely used in cosmetics and topical medical products for several purposes. We present the case of 8-year-old girl with pustules over erythematous and eczematous areas on the face and neck. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported that is diagnosed as pustular irritant contact dermatitis caused by dexpanthenol.

Baboon syndrome induced by ketoconazole.

A 27-year-old male patient presented with a maculopapular eruption on the flexural areas and buttocks after using oral ketoconazole. The patient was diagnosed with drug-induced baboon syndrome based on his history, which included prior sensitivity to topical ketoconazole, a physical examination, and histopathological findings. Baboon syndrome is a drug- or contact allergen-related maculopapular eruption that typically involves the flexural and gluteal areas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ketoconazole-induced baboon syndrome in the English literature.