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Background and Aim: Haemolysis due to dapsone as a part of MDT in leprosy patients has been long recognized. However, the frequency and severity of this side effect and factors associated with it have not been well documented. We planned to determine the frequency of dapsone-induced haemolysis in leprosy patients on MDT and various risk factors associated with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a hospital-based retrospective analysis, conducted on 36 treatment completed or partially treated or on treatment leprosy patients in a tertiary care centre in Chhattisgarh. Results: Out of 36 patients, 83.3% showed a fall in haemoglobin from the baseline value (pre-treatment values). Dapsone was stopped in 33.3% of patients with a significant fall in haemoglobin. We found that the mean haemoglobin concentration for all patients fell from 13.05(+/−1.8) g/dl to 11.8(+/−1.9) g/dl (P < 0.05) which was statistically significant. A total of 25% of patients were labelled as confirmed cases of dapsone-induced haemolysis as per our definition. Conclusion: Our results underline the need to incorporate haematological investigations in leprosy management protocol, especially in primary care settings where the majority of leprosy patients are managed.

Basidiobolomycosis is an unusual chronic subcutaneous zygomycosis reported from tropical regions which is usually misdiagnosed because of its rarity. In this retrospective review, we describe 6 children with basidiobolomycosis who were managed in the Department of Paediatric Surgery at a tertiary institute in central India over a period of four and half years (January 2018 to June 2022). All patients were less than 5 years of age and had no co-morbidities (immune-competent). All were males. All were misdiagnosed at outside hospital. All responded well to anti-fungal therapy. High index of suspicion and biopsy of the lesions lead to appropriate diagnosis and management. Management appears good with triazole antifungals with fewer side effects and safety in children.

Pustular psoriasis is a specialized variant of psoriasis which can be life threatening if not treated at the earliest. The pathogenesis has been recently linked to the role of interleukin 36. Apart from the corticosteroids, systemic antipsoriatics like acitretin, cyclosporine and methotrexate have been used with some success though unpredictable. With recent identification of role of IL-36 in the pathogenesis of pustular psoriasis, biologics targeting the IL-36 receptors have been used to manage the situation with high degree of success. This narrative review deals with the recent concepts of pathogenesis of pustular psoriasis as well as the current management scenario.

Psoriasis is a chronic and complex immune-mediated papulosquamous disease affecting almost 2% of the world population. The interaction between a genetically predisposed individual and environmental triggers leads to a vicious cycle involving autoreactive T cells, dendritic cells, keratinocytes and dermal cells. Up to 40% of the psoriasis cases develop disabling psoriatic arthritis and an equal number of patients also tend to develop metabolic syndrome as well as cardiovascular comorbidities; hence, this is no more considered to be a disease limited to skin only. Being a systemic disease, there is an urgent need to develop potential biomarkers for the assessment of disease severity, prediction of outcome of the therapeutic intervention and association with various systemic comorbidities. Diverse genetic markers not only function as predictors of diseases pathogenesis, but also help to predict development of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Personalised medicine is customising the therapeutic needs of a psoriasis patient and improving the outcome as per the hints we receive from the various biomarkers. This review deals with the list of potential biomarkers proposed to be useful in psoriasis, though there is limited data validating their routine use in clinical practice and the progress so far made in the field of precision medicine for psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease associated with various comorbidities. Managing psoriasis is often challenging as the therapy is decided based on the area of the disease, associated comorbidities and impairment in quality of life, besides the patient’s preference. Making progress in the development of new molecules that can be used topically or orally, effectively controlling the disease with minimal side effects and providing long-lasting remissions are the needs of the hour. Recent developments in understanding the complexities of the pathogenesis of psoriasis have resulted in the reinforcement of treatment modalities, leading to the evolution of various biologics and small-molecule inhibitors. In comparison with biologics, both patients and treating physicians prefer small molecules for various reasons such as avoiding injections and side effects that are associated with biologics biologics. Moreover small molecules are economical than biologics. Newer small molecules, both topical and oral, are promising additions to the therapeutic arsenal in the management of psoriasis in the future.

Background: Mycobacterium welchii (Mycobacterium w) vaccine was one of the many strategies used to both treat and prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We report the results of a retrospective analysis of 15 cases with vaccine-site granulomas after administration of prophylactic Mycobacterium w vaccine as part of a trial for COVID-19 and our experience in managing those cases. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 15 patients with vaccine-site granulomas who were given the vaccine as a prophylactic measure as part of a trial with informed consent. Results: The mean average age of cases was 37 and the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.87. All of the patients developed erythematous tender nodules over the injection sites within a month of receiving the inoculations. Mycobacterial cultures and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification tests yielded negative results. Skin biopsy revealed granulomatous dermatitis with acid-fast bacilli positivity. A diagnosis of noninfective granulomatous dermatitis was made. Treatment started with analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents. Systemic antibiotics were required in 9/15 patients. Patients are being followed up with no reported recurrence till date. Conclusion: The possibility of injection-site granuloma should be taken into the risk–benefit analysis for the administration of Mycobacterium w vaccine and the patients should be counseled as such. Patients with persistent ulceration respond to combinations of doxycycline, ofloxacin, and clarithromycin.

Background: Facial contact dermatitis is an emerging skin disorder due to the use of a large array of materials over the face. It leads to psychological distress in patients, impacting their quality of life. Most of the allergens applied over the face vary as per cosmetic or herbal products' availability, usage, or religious practices. Identifying and discontinuing the implicated allergens will lead to a better prognosis and reduced morbidity in clinical practice. Objectives: To determine the frequency of different allergens responsible for causing facial contact dermatitis, in an urban part of central India, using patch test with the help of Indian standard and cosmetic series. Materials and Methods: All suspected patients (>18 years) of facial contact dermatitis visiting the outpatient department of dermatology were patch tested with both Indian standard and cosmetic series. Results: Out of 38/58 patch-test-positive patients, 71.06% were females, and 28.94% were males. Most patch-test-positive females were housewives. The most common allergens implicated were thiomersal (17.24%), followed by fragrance mix (15.51%), and paraphenylene diamine (12.06%). Conclusion: In our study, forehead and malar areas were most commonly involved indicating fairness creams and perfumes as the important contributors to facial contact dermatitis. Antigen batteries need to be updated with changing social and cultural trends, as many with a consistent history of aggravation with some products tested negative in patch tests.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, characterized by symmetrical proximal myopathy and cutaneous manifestations. DM is associated with upto a 6-fold increased risk of cancer. Complications secondary to underlying cancer are a leading cause of mortality in DM. Here, we discuss the two year clinical course of an elderly male with recalcitrant DM. This case was complicated by tubercular lymphadenitis followed by gumma. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and succumbed to death. This case emphasizes the need to do extensive malignancy screening at regular intervals in DM.

Resistance to antileprosy drugs is one of the main contributors for the persistence of leprosy in the present era. In the absence of universal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance through the national program, the indications for resistance testing remain a important dilemma to clinicians. WHO recommendations mainly focus on clinical relapse, which could be picked up late with continued transmission and repeated leprosy reactions in the patient. We report here a series of eighteen leprosy cases who were tested for AMR in view of the positive morphological index after completion of multidrug therapy, chronic Erythema nodosum leprosum, and clinical relapse.

Primary cutaneous blastomycosis is very rare in non-endemic regions like India. Only few cases have been reported from India. Herein, we are reporting a rare case of chronic cutaneous blastomycosis in a young immunocompetent male presenting as mycetoma with multiple discharging sinuses in the anterior abdominal wall with no significant travel history.

Introduction: Psychogenic purpura, also known as autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome, is a rare condition which is characterized by spontaneous development of painful purpura, or ecchymoses. Skin lesions are usually preceded by stress and emotional trauma. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out history of trauma, drug intake and other bleeding disorders. Autoerythrocyte sensitization test (AEST) and a psychiatric evaluation helps in the diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To demonstrate the importance of AEST in diagnosing the patient of Gardner Diamond syndrome. Materials and Methods: Five suspected cases of autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome underwent AEST after ruling out other causes of bleeding. Results: Four out of five patients were positive for AEST while one patient was negative. Psychiatric complaints were present in three patients. One patient was lost to follow up. Rest all patients responded well to vitamin C supplementation. Conclusion: Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome is a rare disorder and is a diagnosis of exclusion, so a thorough workup of the patient to rule out common causes of bruising is essential. A high index of suspicion on the clinician's part and a simple OPD-based AEST may help in the diagnosis. Psychiatric consultation is important to find out the stress factor and timely management.

Podophyllin is a cytotoxic material extracted from Podophyllum peltatum and Podophyllum hexandrum and is widely used for the treatment of genital warts. This article reviews the chemistry of podophyllin and its active components along with the mechanism of action in various dermatoses. Furthermore, the documented uses of podophyllin in various dermatological disorders have been described along with the side effects of the drug. Based on the available literature, a clinical guideline is being proposed so as to minimize the side effects. Further studies should be carried out on its use in a lower concentration in other dermatoses, especially premalignant and malignant skin diseases.

Background and Aim: Deformities and disabilities in leprosy lead to significant morbidity to the individual and financial burden to the family. As the prevalence of leprosy is higher in central India, this study was conducted to know the burden of deformity and disability among leprosy patients in central India and the factors associated with it. Materials and methods: This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study, conducted on 50 new or on treatment or released from treatment leprosy patients, attending the Dermatology OPD of a tertiary care institute in Central India. Disability was graded as per the WHO criteria for disability grading of hands and feet. Results: Grade 2 disability was found among 32% of the patients with leprosy, whereas a total of 60% of our patients had either grade 1 or grade 2 disabilities. Trophic ulcer was found among 20% and claw hand among 14% of leprosy patients. We found significant associations of lepromatous leprosy with trophic ulcer (p = 0.004) and grade 2 disability (p = 0.012). All patients with claw hands and 80% of the patients with trophic ulcers presented to the healthcare facility at least 6 months after the onset of symptoms. Conclusions: We found very high rates of disability and deformity among leprosy patients indicating possible huge burden of morbidity among leprosy patients in central India. The significant association of lepromatous leprosy with trophic ulcer and grade 2 disability indicated delayed presentation and diagnosis of lepromatous leprosy patients. Our results underlined the need for large scale community-based studies on disability and deformity among leprosy patients in Central India. These results also call for better training of primary level healthcare workers for early detection and management of deformities and disabilities as well as better patient education for leprosy patients regarding hand and foot care.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and it can affect multiple organ systems. Cutaneous TB, a less common type of extrapulmonary TB can coexist with TB of other organs. Here, we describe a case of multifocal cutaneous TB suggestive of two different morphological types with concomitant miliary pulmonary TB.

Lethal midline granuloma is a rare aggressive, mutilating disorder of the upper airways. It is most likely secondary to natural killer/T-cell lymphoma and is difficult to diagnose owing to the varied and nonspecific symptoms. It is usually prevalent in the fourth decade of life and carries a poor prognosis. Our patient was a 19-year-old male with disease duration of 3 months, was diagnosed with lethal midline granuloma based on clinical examination, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. The patient responded well to the first cycle of chemotherapy.

Subcutaneous zygomycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. This entity is usually endemic in South India and only limited numbers of cases have been reported from central India. We report a case of 4-year-old male child from Chhattisgarh, who presented with a painless, non-tender, large, subcutaneous swelling of 4 months duration on the right upper arm, which was initially misdiagnosed as benign spindle cell tumor and advised surgical resection. But the fungal culture of the affected tissue grown Basidiobolus ranarum and the child responded very well to itraconazole therapy only. Keywords: Basidiobolus ranarum, Subcutaneous zygomycosis, Fungal infection, Spindle cell tumor, Itraconazole therapy

Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common, self-limiting dermatologic disorder. The information regarding the clinical profile of the disease in India is limited because of inadequate studies. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, record-based study on the clinical presentation of PR was conducted in a tertiary care center based in Central India. Data of all the patients presenting to our outpatient department from October 2014 to March 2015 with a clinical diagnosis of PR were analyzed. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 9 to 54 (mean-20.32) years. There was a male preponderance with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. History of prodromal symptoms was present in 11 (27.5%) patients. Pruritus was a common symptom in 30 of 40 (75%) patients. Of 40 patients, 15 (35%) had herald patch. The morphology of skin lesions was typical in most of the patients (77.5%). Two (5%) patients had papular skin lesions, four (10%) patients had erythema multiforme-like skin lesions, and one patient each had papulovesicular, psoriasiform, and eczematous skin lesions. Conclusion: The clinical features of most of the cases were mostly in accordance with the classical pattern of PR, with few unusual features.

Background: Psoriasis has well-known associations with individual components of metabolic syndrome such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity. Traditional anthropometric measurements of obesity such as waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) do not differentiate between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat, the latter being associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) index is a measure of visceral fat and has been found to be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, LAP index has not been well-studied in psoriasis patients. Aims and Objectives: Our objective was to find out if LAP index differs significantly between psoriasis patients and controls and whether LAP index shows a correlation with duration and severity of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was undertaken with 40 chronic plaque psoriasis patients and 42 controls. BMI and LAP index were calculated for all the patients and controls. Psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was calculated for all the psoriasis patients. Mann–Whitney U-test was done for comparing the age, BMI, WC, serum triglyceride, and LAP index between the cases and controls and to compare the LAP index between mild psoriasis and moderate-to-severe psoriasis groups. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation of LAP index with duration of psoriasis and with PASI. Logistic regression models were done to assess the risk factors in psoriasis. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the LAP index of controls (23.79 ± 13.02) and that of psoriasis patients (46.42 ± 27.2). LAP index was significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe psoriasis group as compared to the mild psoriasis group. LAP index was a significant risk factor associated with psoriasis (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03 – 1.11). Conclusion: Calculation of LAP index in psoriasis patients helps in identification of more individuals at high risk of cardiovascular morbidity than traditional anthropometric measurements of obesity.

Most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is lupus vulgaris (LV). Atypical presentation of LV is rare and may lead to delay in diagnosis and hence increase in morbidity. Here, we report a case of sporotrichoid form of LV in a 38 year old male who presented as cutaneous lesions mimicking mycetoma. High index of clinical suspicion and relevant investigations play a vital role in confirmation of diagnosis wherever atypical form of cutaneous TB is suspected.

Background: Health care–associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(HA-MRSA) are resistant to multiple antibiotics, therefore infections caused by them are difficult to treat resulting in high morbidity and mortality. While most of the research activities and public health initiatives are focused on HA-MRSA, the newly emerging pathogen, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(CA-MRSA) is gaining in significance in respect to patient morbidity. There is a significant paucity of data regarding CA-MRSA in the developing parts of the world. Aim: To study the proportions of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA infections among patients with culture-proven S. aureus infection and to find out how many of these patients showed presence of MRSA in nasal cultures of healthy contacts. Materials and Methods: Clinical details of 227 patients were recorded in the study, such as the duration and recurrence of the infection, history of antibiotic intake, and the presence of other medical illnesses. A pus swab was taken from each lesion and sent for culture and sensitivity. If the culture grew S. aureus, they were screened for methicillin resistance. A swab from the anterior nares of the healthy contact of each patient, whenever available, was collected and it was screened for MRSA. Results: Furunculosis was most common among the primary pyodermas (53/134; 39. 5%). Out of 239 pus culture samples obtained from 227 patients, 192 (84.58%) grew S. aureus; of these 150 (78.12%) were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), whereas 42 (21.98%) were MRSA. Out of the 42 MRSA isolated, 33 turned out to be CA-MRSA (78%) and 9 (22%) were HA-MRSA. Nasal swabs of healthy contacts of 34 MRSA patients were cultured. Out of them, two grew MRSA in the culture. Conclusion: The isolation rate of S. aureus was high in our study. Furthermore, our study, although hospital based, clearly indicated the substantial magnitude of the CA-MRSA problem in the local population.

Background: Autologous serum skin test (ASST) is a simple in-vivo clinical test for the detection of basophil histamine releasing activity and to diagnose chronic autoimmune urticaria (CAU) among chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients. Diagnosing these patients is also important as they may need high doses of antihistamines and systemic corticosteroids during acute exacerbations. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to study the prevalence of CAU among cases of CSU by using ASST. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done among 48 patients presenting with CSU. Detailed history, physical examination and routine investigations were recorded for all patients. ASST was done on all the 48 patients. Results: Of the 48 patients included in the study, 20 patients (41.6%) were ASST positive, while the remaining 28 (58%) were ASST negative. The median duration of disease in both ASST positive and negative patients was 1 year. ASST positivity was higher (66.6%) among patients with a history of round shaped weals, though not statistically significant. ASST positivity was seen in 5 (71.4%) out of seven patients with systemic involvement, which was again not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study did not show any significant difference between patients with and without antibodies regarding mean age and sex distribution, clinical morphology of individual weals, duration, severity, systemic symptoms, angioedema, atopy, and association with other autoimmune conditions.

Introduction: Allergic contact dermatitis is an important cause of hand eczema. Patch testing is the only investigation available to prove the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. Exposures to allergens differ according to geographical, occupational, economic and social factors. Accordingly, patterns of allergic contact dermatitis differ in different parts of the world and different regions of the same country. Aim: To study the causes of allergic contact dermatitis in adult patients with hand eczema with the help of patch testing. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 54 hand eczema patients conducted between October 2013 and June 2015, at a tertiary care centre in Southern India. After a detailed history including history of occupational exposure and detailed examination, patch test was done on these patients with Indian standard series. The patches were removed after 48 hours. Another reading was taken after 72 hours. The readings were interpreted according to International Contact Dermatitis Research Group criteria and noted down. The data were summarized using mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and percentages for categorical and dichotomous variables. The test of association was done with Fisher’s-exact test. Results: Hyperkeratotic hand eczema was the commonest morphological type (29%), followed by discoid eczema. Pompholyx was significantly more common among patients with history of atopy. A total of 20 patients (37%) showed patch test positivity to a total of 25 allergens. Nickel was the most common allergen (11.11%) followed by para-phenylenediamine (PPD) (7.4%). Nickel (6 patients) and cobalt (3 patients) were the common allergens among women, while potassium dichromate (3 patients) and parthenium (2 patients) were the common allergens among men. Potassium dichromate allergy was significantly more common among masons and PPD allergy was significantly more common among hair dye users. Discoid pattern of hand eczema was common among patients with allergy to potassium dichromate. Conclusion: Majority of the cases of hand eczema are not due to allergic contact dermatitis. History of atopy is common among patients with pompholyx. Allergic contact dermatitis due to nickel remains a common cause of hand eczema.

Introduction: Previous studies indicate a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriatic patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of metabolic syndrome and its components with psoriasis. It also studied the relation between presence of metabolic syndrome and disease duration in psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, casecontrol study conducted with 30 clinically diagnosed patients of chronic plaque psoriasis and 30 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Height, weight, BMI, blood pressure and waist circumference were assessed in all the subjects. Fasting levels of serum glucose, serum triglycerides and serum HDL were estimated by automated clinical chemistry analyser. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the presence of at least 3 criteria of NCEP ATP III with Asian modification for waist circumference. Results: Metabolic syndrome was more common in psoriatic patients than in controls but the difference was statistically insignificant (60% vs. 40%, p-value=0.12). The psoriasis group had a higher prevalence of elevated blood glucose levels and higher waist circumference compared to controls. Psoriasis patients had a higher prevalence of high triglyceride levels than controls, the difference being statistically insignificant (40% vs. 30%, p-value = 0.41). The prevalence of low HDL levels was significantly higher in cases compared to controls (86.7% vs. 60%, p-value = 0.02). There was no relation between presence of metabolic syndrome and duration of psoriasis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that metabolic syndrome as well as dyslipidaemia is commoner in psoriasis patients. This underlines the need for screening of all psoriasis patients for early diagnosis and treatment of associated metabolic syndrome to reduce the high burden of morbidity and mortality.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid describes a rare heterogeneous group of chronic, inflammatory, mucous membrane-dominated, subepithelial blistering diseases that manifest a varying constellation of oral, ocular, skin, genital, nasopharyngeal, esophageal, and laryngeal lesions. Life-threatening airway obstruction and sight-threatening ocular scarring can occur in this condition, which is rarely reported in Indian literature. Vitiligo is another acquired autoimmune disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes. Vitiligo is associated with a number of disorders also considered to be autoimmune. Here we report a very rare coexistence of MMP and vitiligo, the first such report from India.

Background: Pityriasis rosea is an acute self-limiting skin disorder of unknown aetiology. Recently human herpes virus 6 and 7 has been hypothesized to be the cause of pityriasis rosea. Objective: To determine the efficacy of acyclovir, an anti-viral drug, in the treatment of pityriasis rosea. Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study of efficacy of oral acyclovir in the treatment of pityriasis rosea was conducted on 73 patients. Thirty eight randomly selected patients were started on oral acyclovir. Thirtyfive patients were prescribed placebo. The patients as well as the chief investigator were unaware of the therapeutic group to which patients belonged (acyclovir or placebo). Patients in both the groups were evaluated clinically after 7 and 14 days following the first visit and the data were analysed. Results: Follow up data of 60 patients was available and these were included in the statistical analysis. 53.33% and 86.66% of the patients belonging to the acyclovir group showed complete resolution on the 7th day and 14th day respectively following the first visit compared to 10% and 33.33% of patients from the placebo group. The findings were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study showed that high dose acyclovir is effective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome or nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is characterized by multiple basocellular epitheliomas, keratocysts in the jaws, bifid ribs, palmar and/or plantar pits and ectopic calcifications of the falx cerebri. We describe a case of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome illustrating the importance of a thorough examination including the examination of palms and soles and detailed investigations in a patient having lesions suggestive of basal cell carcinoma and multiple naevi.

Monilethrix is a rare hereditary condition generally considered to be an autosomal-dominant disorder with variable penetrance. Here, we report a case of monilethrix in a 13-year-old boy with an affected sibling. A therapeutic trial with oral N-acetyl cysteine was attempted. There was slight improvement after 2 months of therapy. The hair density, however, did not show any further improvement subsequently. Monilethrix remains as a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists.