Adarsh Lata Singh

Efficacy and Safety of Terbinafine Hydrochloride 1% Cream vs. Sertaconazole Nitrate 2% Cream in Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris: A Comparative Therapeutic Trial.

Context: To the best of our knowledge, till date no study comparing the efficacy and safety of terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream and sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream has been done in localized tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Aims: This clinical trial was carried out to study and compare the efficacy of topical terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream and sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream in localized tinea corporis and tinea cruris and to know the adverse effects of these antifungal creams. Settings and Design: In this prospective, single blind, randomized control trial with two arms, patient were randomized into two groups Group A (treatment with terbinafine cream) and Group B (treatment with sertaconazole cream). A total of 38 patients were enrolled for the study, 20 patients in group A and 18 patients in group B. But five patients of group A and three patients of group B were lost for follow-ups. Therefore sample size was of 30 patients with 15 patients in group A and group B each. Materials and Methods: Patients in group A and B were treated with twice daily topical 1% terbinafine hydrochloride and 2% sertaconazole nitrate cream respectively for a total duration of three weeks. Clinical improvement in signs and symptoms of each clinical parameter, namely itching, erythema, papules, pustules, vesicles, and scaling were graded weekly and clinical cure was assessed. KOH mount and culture was done weekly up to 3 weeks to access mycological cure. Fungal culture was done on Sabourauds dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using students paired and unpaired t-tests from the data obtained. Results: Comparison between Group A and Group B for complete cure (clinical and mycological) showed that at the end of 3 weeks both terbinafine and sertaconazole groups had 100% complete cure. When the two groups were compared for complete cure, at the end of 1st and 2nd week, statistically non-significant results were observed (P = 0.461 and P = 0.679 respectively). However, at the end of 2nd week, complete cure rate for terbinafine was 80% as compared to 73.35% for sertaconazole with no statistical significance. In both Group A and Group B, clinically significant local side effects like erythema, swelling, stinging sensation, or increased itching were not noticed. A majority of our patients in both the group showed Trichophyton rubrum followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes growth on culture. In Group A, 11 patients showed growth of T. rubrum, 2 patients showed growth of T. mentagrophytes, and 1 patient had only KOH test positive. In Group B, 10 patients revealed growth of T. rubrum, followed by growth of T. mentagrophytes in 3 and Microsporum canis in 2 patients. The therapeutic response is more or less same in infection with different species. Conclusions: The newer fungistatic drug sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream was as effective as terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream which is one of the fungicidal drugs, though terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream has higher rates of complete cure at the end of 2 weeks as compared to sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream. Both the drugs showed good tolerability with no adverse effects.

Hallermann-Streiff syndrome with cutaneous manifestations.

Hallermann–Streiff syndrome was first published by Aubry in 1893. The disorder is named after two investigators who independently reported cases of this syndrome and gave complete descriptions, namely Hallermann, in 1948, and Streiff, in 1950. In 1958, Franc ois described seven signs essential for the diagnosis of Hallermann–Streiff syndrome: (i) dyscephalia and bird-like facial features; (ii) abnormal dentition; (iii) hypotrichosis; (iv) atrophy of the skin, especially on the nose; (v) congenital cataracts; (vi) bilateral microphthalmia; and (vii) proportionate dwarfism. To the best of our knowledge, extremely few instances of Hallermann–Streiff syndrome with cutaneous manifestations have been reported. In view of its rarity, we report such a case.

Oral retinoid-induced cheilitis

50 INTRODUCTION Retinoids are a class of molecules, structurally related to Vitamin A and have an important role in the modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The utility of retinoids in dermatology can be highlighted by the fact that retinoids are being regularly used in various disorders of keratinization (psoriasis, lichen planus, Darier’s disease, and acne vulgaris), cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas, and chemoprevention. Acitretin and isotretinoin are available in oral forms and are being extensively used by dermatologists across the globe. Mucocutaneous toxicity forms an important group of side effects of oral retinoid therapy and limits the further dose escalation.[1] Cheilitis (lip chapping) is the most common and bothersome mucocutaneous adverse effect of oral retinoid therapy. Effective management of retinoid‐induced cheilitis requires understanding of basic etio‐pathogenic pathway for rational and realistic treatment.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of antibiotics and their use in dermatology

Antibiotics (antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic) are class of drugs which result in either killing or inhibiting growth and multiplication of infectious organisms. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed by all specialties for treatment of infections. However, antibiotics have hitherto immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties and can be exploited for various noninfectious dermatoses. Dermatologists routinely prescribe antibiotics in treatment of various noninfectious disorders. This study will review anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of antibiotics and their use in dermatology.

Great saphenous vein dilatation with reflux at the saphenofemoral junction: A rare underlying association of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma.

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH) is an exceedingly rare benign tumor-like lesion prevalent in childhood, which can produce pain and marked sweating. Histological features include proliferation of eccrine sweat glands and angiomatous capillary channels. It may be rarely associated with underlying pathological conditions. A 15-year-old female patient presented with multiple tender reddish papules and nodules coalescing to form plaques of 10 × 8 cm over the anterior aspect of the right lower thigh since birth. It was associated with hypertrichosis, hyperhidrosis, pain, and occasional bleeding on trauma. Histopathological examination of the lesion showed increased proliferation of both eccrine and angiomatous channels. Ultrasonography and Color Doppler of the right thigh showed dilatation of the great saphenous vein (GSV) above the right knee, with evidence of grade 3 reflux at saphenofemoral junction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed large dilated GSV with slow flow and venous malformation in the anterior part of the right knee

Safety and efficacy of different systemic treatment modalities for acute pain of herpes zoster: A pilot study

Background: Herpes zoster is a viral infection of skin caused by Varicella Zoster virus. The most important symptom for which the patient seeks medical advice is pain, which is perceived before the development of rash and lasts even after its resolution. The pain during the first 30 days after onset of herpes zoster is known as acute herpetic neuralgia. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side-effects of different systemic treatment modalities for acute herpes zoster neuralgia. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, single-blind, parallel control study. Forty-five patients of herpes zoster within 72 hours of onset were enrolled after considering various inclusion and exclusion criteria over a duration of 1 year. Pain severity was assessed after sequential distribution and allotment of patients in three groups using verbal rating scale (VRS). Patients in Group A (control group), were treated with Tab.valacyclovir (1 g tds × 7 days), Group B–Tab.valacyclovir (1 g tds × 7 days) + Cap. Pregabalin (75 mg bd × 1 month), and Group C –Tab.valacyclovir (1 g tds × 7 days) +Cap. Pregabalin (75 mg bd × 1 month) + Tab.methylprednisolone (0.64 mg/kg body weight in two divided doses × 7 days). Patients were followed up at 1, 4, 6 weeks. Complete resolution of acute pain and side-effects were noted. Results: At the end of 4 weeks, reduction in acute pain was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in all the three groups individually compared to the baseline value. At the end of 6 weeks, percentage of patients with persistence of pain was more in Group A and B compared to Group C, which was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). In group A, postherpetic neuralgia was observed in more patients compared to group B and C. No significant side-effects were observed in any group except vomiting, somnolence, and dizziness. Limitations: Sample size of this study was limited. Further studies with large sample size are required to further validate the findings of the present study. Conclusions: Combination therapy with valacyclovir, methylprednisolone, and pregabalin has better efficacy compared to valacyclovir and pregabalin and valacyclovir alone in the management of acute herpes zoster neuralgia. No significant side-effects were observed

Less-known clinical signs in dermatology

This paper describes various less-known clinical signs observed either on clinical examination and investigations in the subject of dermatology.

Late onset Warfarin induced skin necrosis in human immunodeficiency virus infected patient with pulmonary tuberculosis

The incidence of Warfarin-induced skin necrosis (WISN) is very low 0.01-0.10%. The majority of the WISN cases appear between day 3 and 6 of onset of Warfarin therapy. The cases of late onset WISN are rarely seen. We report a case of late onset WISN in a young human immunodeficiency virus positive female patient with thrombotic pulmonary embolism and reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis.