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Hyper-pigmentation as a manifestation of contact sensitivity to optical brighteners has previously been reported. In 1973 we observed an epidemic of pigmented contact dermatitis occurring in a textile mill in connection with the manufacture of drill fabrics impregnated with a recently introduced azo dye coupling component Naphthol AS. Of the 53 workers included in the study, 12 presented a spatted pattern of hyper- pigmentation mainly affecting the exposed areas, but without pruritus, 18 were pigmented to a lesser degree, and in 21 it was not possible to discern any well-defined discoloration; some of the patients in the last group, however, complained of slight pruritus. The last two patients who were fair-skinned showed a reddish-brown pigmentation and a well pronounced pruritus. Hyper-pigmentation was most pronounced in individuals with dark complexions, whereas fair-skinned patients also showed "classical" eczematous symptoms including pruritus. A field study demonstrated direct exposure to the chemical. All 53 patients were patch- tested with Naphthol AS 5 % in water, and 24 were found to be positive. Histological features were melanocyte proliferation, incontinence of pigment, and various degrees of damage to the basal layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single 200 mcg/Kg dose of ivermectine as compared with placebo in the treatment of scabies was settled. Fifty five patients with the diagnosis of scabies were randomized to a single oral dose of ivermectine or placebo. The study informed that 26 (79.3%) patients were cured with ivermectine on their first follow-up visit, as compared to only four (16%) in the placebo group (X2 = 77.07, p < 0.001). Overall, 37 of 50 (74%) patients treated with ivermectine cured, as compared to only four of 26 (16%) treated with placebo, this difference was still significant (X2 = 23.66, p < 0.001). We concluded that ivermectine is a safe and effective treatment for scabies.

A survey was carried out in Mexico to determine the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of mycetoma. Data was collected from a total of 2105 cases of mycetoma throughout a 30 year period (1956-1985), with an average incidence of 70 cases per year. Results showed a sex distribution of 76.1% male and 23.9% females. Age distribution indicated a 35% between 16 to 30 and 23% between 31 to 40 year old population. Most cases occurred in land-workers (60.2%) and in housewives with rural residence (21.3%). Lesions occurred most frequently in lower limbs (64.1%), trunk (17.4%) and upper limbs (13.6%). The geographic distribution within Mexico revealed that the States with the highest incidence were: Jalisco, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosi, Morelos and Guerrero The predominant etiologic agents found 97.8% corresponded to actinomycetes, from which Nocardia brasiliensis (86.6%) and Actinomadura madurae (10.2%) showed the higher frequency. Eumycetoma (2.2%) was due to Madurella grisea and M. mycetomatis in most cases.

Seven cases of lupus erythematosus profundus are described (chronic discoid lupus erythematosus with athrophic panniculitis) with dissemination of one of them. All patients were females. The authors stress their opinion that it should not be called as lupus profundus, the cases of lupus erythematosus disseminated with erythema nodosum neither the cases of L.E.S. preceded or associated with the so called Weber-Christian's type of panniculitis. Six of the cases had athrophic alopecia of scalp by lupus discoid.

The authors report a case of tinea nigra of left sole, diagnosticate at the beginning as melanoma of superficial dissemination. The mycological studies confirmed the dermatological diagnostic of tinea nigra by Cladosporium werneckii.

From 163 patients with clinical diagnosis of otomycosis, only 72 were confirmed by the mycological laboratory. No difference was noticed regarding the age and sex of patients. The clinical symptoms were the break of the timpanic membrane, secretion and fungal colonies in one side. Most of our patients had more than one year of evolution. The more common causative agent was Aspergillus and quite frequently it were present non-pathogenic bacteria. The local treatment with a solution containing vioform with salicilic acid was successful in the 82% of cases.