Debdeep Mitra

A comparative study of efficacy of cultured versus non cultured melanocyte transfer in the management of stable vitiligo

BACKGROUND Replenishing melanocytes by autologous melanocytes selectively in vitiliginous macules is a novel and promising treatment. With expertise in culturing autologous melanocytes, it has now become possible to treat larger recipient areas with smaller skin samples. To determine the relative efficacy of cultured versus non cultured melanocyte transfer in the management of stable vitiligo. METHODS The melanocytes were harvested as an autologous melanocyte rich cell suspension from a donor split thickness graft. Cultured or non cultured melanocytes were then transplanted to the recipient area that had been superficially dermabraded. 100 patches of vitiligo in patients reporting to this hospital were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive either of the interventions. RESULTS An excellent response was seen in 62.17% cases with the autologous melanocyte rich cell suspension technique and in 52% with the melanocyte culture technique. CONCLUSION Autologous melanocyte transplantation can be an effective form of surgical treatment in stable but recalcitrant lesions of vitiligo. Large areas of skin can be covered with a smaller donor skin using melanocyte culture technique; however culture method is more time consuming, and a labour intensive process, requiring state of the art equipments with a sterile lab setup.

Hailey-Hailey disease with skin lesions at unusual sites and a good response to acitretin

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A Rare Case of Secondary Syphilis Manifesting as Immune Reconstitution Syndrome in an HIV-Positive Patient

A 44-year-old HIV-infected male, having a low CD4 count, was on antiretroviral therapy for the last 2 months, when he developed a skin rash. He gave a history of solitary unprotected extramarital sexual contact 6 months before onset of the rash. Dermatological examination revealed a bilaterally symmetrical, maculopapular erythematous rash involving the palms, forearms, and neck. He showed a positive sign of Buschke-Ollendorff. In the meanwhile, the CD4 count had improved to 196 cells/mm3 from the previous count of 92 cells/mm3 and the viral load had decreased. Serum venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test was reactor at 1:64. He was found to be positive result for treponema pallidum hemagglutination test. Skin biopsy revealed features of secondary syphilis. The rash responded well to a single injection of benzathine penicillin, resulting in the lowering of the VDRL titers. There was no evidence of neurosyphilis. This is a very rare instance of secondary syphilis manifesting as immune reconstitution syndrome in an HIV-positive patient.

A rare case of familial reactive perforating collagenosis

A 4 year old boy presented with history of itchy raised lesions on body of 2 years duration. Though parental consanguinity was not present, his elder brother had similar complaints. Dermatological examination revealed multiple hyperpigmented papules with a central keratotic plug distributed mainly over face and extensors of upper and lower extremities. Koebnerisation was present. Skin biopsy revealed perforating collagen bundles in the upper dermis and epidermis which was confirmed by Van Gieson staining. Patient was being treated with topical retinoids and intralesional corticosteroids with minimal relief.

A rare case of subungual melanoma

A 51-year-old male presented with blackish discoloration of nails of 10 months duration. Examination revealed black dystrophic left thumb finger nail. Detailed examination showed a mass under the dystrophic nail. Hutchinson sign was positive. Histopathology revealed characteristic features of melanoma. A detailed evaluation revealed no features of local or distant metastasis. The entire lesion was then removed surgically along with disarticulation at the interphalangeal joint. Resection-free margin was confirmed. This case is being reported for the rare occurrence of subungual melanoma in the Indian population and also for presentation with a long history of lesion with no evidence of metastasis.

A rare case of bullous mastocytosis in a child associated with bathing trunk nevus

A 4–year-old boy, product of second-degree consanguineous marriage, presented with a history of recurrent bullous eruptions since the age of 11⁄2 years. Eruptions occurred every 2–3 months and were associated with preceding severe pruritus. The lesions were ruptured forcibly, and they healed with scarring. On examination, there was no hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple tense bullae over the chest, abdomen, and proximal extremities with few erosions over the trunk (Fig. 1a). The bullae were present on a non-urticated base and contained clear fluid. Bulla spread and Nikolsky’s sign were negative. Darier’s sign was positive (Fig. 1b). There was a 30 · 10 cm congenital hairy melanocytic nevus

Nilotinib-induced perforating folliculitis: Two cases

Cutaneous adverse effects of chemotherapy are widely known but underreported. A significant advancement is made in the field of oncology with the advent of new classes of drug being added to the existing classes at a fast pace. Most of these cutaneous adverse effects are self-limiting and subsides on suspending the drug either temporarily or permanently. Some of these effects are merely overlooked by the patients and the treating physician hence goes un-noticed. Nilotinib is a newer second-generation tyrosine-kinase inhibitor approved for the management of chronic myeloid leukemia. This drug is rapidly establishing itself as a first-line therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia. Like other chemotherapeutic agents, a wide array of cutaneous adverse effects is noted with this drug. We report two cases of perforating folliculitis induced by nilotinib.

Rare variant of ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defect-cleft lip/cleft palate syndrome: Curly hair-ankyloblepharon-nail disease syndrome

Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defect-cleft lip/cleft palate (AEC) syndrome is one of the variants of ectodermal dysplasia. It is an autosomal dominant disorder comprising of ankyloblepharon, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft palate or cleft lip. In 1976, it was first described by Hay and Wells, therefore also known as Hay–Wells syndrome. The characteristic feature of this syndrome is “ankyloblepharon filiforme adnatum”, which refers to the partial thickness fusion of the eyelid margins. The “curly hair-ankyloblepharon-nail disease (CHAND) syndrome” is a clinical variant of AEC syndrome. We report a rare case of a 7-year-old girl child who presented with history of abnormal dentition, 20 nail dystrophy, and light-colored, sparse curly hairs since birth. Parents gave history that at the time of birth, her both eyelids were fused partially, which was surgically corrected by an ophthalmologist at 1 month of age. There was no history of hypohidrosis or anhidrosis, heat intolerance, cleft lip or cleft palate. Microscopy of the hair shaft found “bubbly hair” morphology. This case is unique as it is a rare presentation, and awareness should be there for this constellation of findings so that the systemic associations can be investigated. “Bubble hair” morphology on microscopy is a unique feature in this rare autosomal recessive condition.

Granuloma annulare skin lesions in a case of sarcoidosis

We report the case of a 32-year- old man with a short 3-week history of erythematous, annular, non scaly plaques on palmar and dorsal aspect of his hands, who was concurrently diagnosed as a case of sarcoidosis on the basis of findings of generalized lymphadenopathy and radiological and histological features of pulmonary sarcoidosis. His skin biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of granuloma annulare. Sarcoidosis and granuloma annulare are two separate diseases, which involve the skin and have a mononuclear histiocytic cellular reaction, although their aetiology is still unknown. Granuloma annulare has been associated with the concomitant diagnosis of sarcoidosis in only two more case reports and this association can be evaluated further to study a common link in the aetipathogenesis of these two granulomatous skin diseases.

An observational study on the effects of aviation turbine fuel and lubricants on the skin of Indian Air Force ground crew in flying stations

BACKGROUND Ground crew of the Air Force routinely handle aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and lubricants and a need was felt to study the adverse effects of these substances on their skin so that remedial measures could be taken to prevent these adverse effects. METHODS A multi-centric, cross-sectional, observational study was performed at three Air Force flying stations. 109 ground crew members of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who were in direct contact with ATF and lubricants were screened for dermatological manifestations on exposed areas. History of atopy was elicited, systemic and dermatological examination done and occlusive patch testing carried out where indicated. Fungal infections were excluded by a potassium hydroxide mount. RESULTS 20 out of the 109 personnel (18.34%) were symptomatic in the form of mild irritant contact dermatitis. There was no case of allergic contact dermatitis. Only two cases showed an irritant reaction on patch testing. 65% of the symptomatic personnel were atopic. There was no predisposing trade or age group for adverse effects to ATF. CONCLUSION This study revealed that contact with ATF is associated with only mild irritant contact dermatitis in exposed ground crew members of the IAF and atopy was a predisposing factor for susceptibility to the dermatitis.