L.K. Bhutani

Photocontact Dermatitis Caused by Parthenium hysterophorus

A patient, possibly the first, with photocontact dermatitis due to Parthenium hysterophorus simulating actinic reticuloid is being presented.

Tinea capitis in north India

A survey of 1620 school children (690 from Delhi, 810 from Ballabgarh and 120 from Kashmir) was undertaken to assess the prevalence of tinea capitis. Nine cases with mycologically positive clinical lesions were detected. Sixteen subjects had no clinical lesions, but presence of fungus could be demonstrated.Nineteen mycologically proved cases of tinea capitis were studied. Trichophyton violaceum was found to be the predominant species followed by T. mentagrophytes.

Effect of hair oils and fatty acids on the growth of dermatophytes and their in vitro penetration of human scalp hair.

Various concentrations of commonly used hair oils, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids were incorporated in Sabourauds dextrose agar medium and their effect on growth of dermatophytes was studied. Mustard oil and unsaturated fatty acids were seen to completely suppress the growth in concentrations of 1% and above. The same oil and all unsaturated fatty acids were also seen to prevent penetration of hair by various dermatophytes using either Lus or Ajellos technique.

Study of the Effects of Certain Drugs on Experimental Porphyria in Rats

The effect of ethanol, phenobarbitone, griseofulvin or chloroquine on 3,4-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-induced porphyria in rats has been studied in experiments lasting up to 40 days. Ethanol, phenobarbitone or griseofulvin given later, in addition to DDC, resulted in a clearly greater porphyrin excretion and liver porphyrin concentration than with DDC alone. Chloroquine at first increased, then decreased porphyrin excretion and liver porphyrin was lowered. No drug without DDC was porphyrogenic.

Porokeratosis of Mibelli with Unusual Features

A 35-year-old male patient having combination of porokeratosis of Mibelli and porokeratosis plantaris palmaris et disseminata is being reported. In addition, the patient had unusual features of resorp

The Effects of Some Hair Oils and Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Experimentally Induced Dermatophytosis

Antimycotic effect of mustard and coconut oils, oleic and palmitic acids on experimentally produced dermatophytic infection on hairy skin in the guinea pigs was studied. Mean Duration of Infection (MDI) was significantly reduced in all experiments where coconut and mustard oils or unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid) were used. The significance of these results in realtion to Tinea capitis in humans is discussed.

Repigmentation of Hair Following Photosensitive Dermatitis

A case of repigmentation of the scalp hair following photosensitive dermatitis is reported. The possible clinical application of this observation has been discussed.

A Study of the Immunological Status of Patients with Dermatophytoses

22 patients with Trichophyton rubrum infection were studied for some of their immunological parameters. The trichophytin skin test performed with commercially available Dermatophytin (Hollister-Stier) gave immediate positive reaction in 3 patients. All the other patients gave negative delayed and retarded reactions. In vitro response to PHA of the peripheral lymphocytes was significantly depressed in patients compared to the controls. No relationship could, however, be established between the severity, duration or extent of the disease and the depression of the lymphocyte response. IgG and IfA were found to be within normal limits. IgM levels were significantly depressed which was probably artefactual in nature.

Tinea pedis--a penalty of civilization. A sample survey of rural and urban population.

Untersuchungen von Land‐ und Stadtbewohnern in Indien zeigten, daß Tinae pedis auf dem Lande praktisch nicht vorkommt, jedoch bei‐3 % der Stadtbewohner. Die Schuhe spielen dabei eine große Rolle. Die Pilze können anscheinend zwischen den Zehen verschieden lang verweilen, ohne dort klinische Erscheinungen zu verursachen.

Clotrimazole in treatment of dermatomycoses and vaginitis.

62 patients with dermatomycoses and 39 patients suffering from vaginitis were treated with topical application (1 %) of clotrimazole (Canesten) cream and vaginal tablets (100 mg) respectively. A majority of the patients (44) of dermatophytoses were completely cured in 3 to 6 weeks and all cases (11) of cutaneous candidiasis in 1 to 2 weeks. 14 cases of Candida vaginitis were cured in 2 weeks and 24 patients with nonspecific vaginitis responded well to the treatment showing definite clinical improvement. No untoward reactions were noticed in these patients.