Leprosy in Sukkur region: a series of 143 cases from 2001-2011 at leprosy centre Sukkur, Sindh

To document the clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Sukkur Region, Sindh. A total of 143 new leprosy cases referred and registered in leprosy centre, Sukkur from 2001-2011 were studied. Diagnosis was based on clinical grounds, and supported by acid-fast bacilli on slit-skin smear. Out of 143 new cases 73 [51%] were males and 70 [49%] females. The peak age of disease onset was second decade. The most common form of the disease was borderline tuberculoid [BT] seen in 76 [53%] cases. Ulnar nerve was the most frequently affected nerve seen in 30 [21%] cases. Although in urban cities the cases of leprosy are in decline but still it exists in rural areas of Sindh. It is important for the practitioners to be aware of its diagnosis and management to prevent the deformities

Characteristics and pattern of childhood psoriasis in Saudi Arabia

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, immunologically mediated disorder in which one-third of patients suffer under the 18 years of age [childhood psoriasis]. Although, the exact pathogenesis of the disease is unknown but the clinical information on disease has been the significant value to understand the nature of disease. In this study, we present our experiences with 36 children having childhood psoriasis who visited the dermatology and phototherapy unit from January 1999 to December 2006. All the cases were diagnosed clinically. Of 36 children, 12 [33.3%] had the generalized [plaque type] psoriasis, 8 [22.2%] had the guttate psoriasis, 4 [11.1%] had the mixed guttate and plaque type; while 6 [16.7%] had the localized lesions on elbows and knees, 4 [11.1%] had the localized lesions on hands and feet and 1 [2.8%] had on scalp. One child [2.8%] had erythematous lesions all over the body since birth [congenital psoriasis]. The age of children ranged from 8 months to 18 years [mean=11.27 years]. The duration of the disease ranged from 2 months to 11 years [mean=3.04 years]. The number of male patients was 15 and the females were 21, hence the male and female ratio was 1:1.4. The family history was positive in 10 [27.8%] children. All patients were treated by giving the various types of topical medications and/or narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy treatment. Childhood psoriasis is more common in girls than in boys and plaque type psoriasis is the most common in Arabs. At present, the narrow-band ultraviolet-B phototherapy is safe and effective in moderate and severe cases especially in those children who do not respond to topical protocol treatments

Childhood psoriasis: a review of literature

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated disease in which one-third of patients suffer under the age of 18 years. In early age, the diagnosis may be difficult because of the atypical lesions. Plaque type of psoriasis is the commonest form of childhood psoriasis. Phototherapy as well as systemic therapy used in childhood psoriasis has limited use because of the long-term side effects of the drugs like teratogenicity, low tolerance, and other liver, renal and hematological derangements. In this review, the update on clinical aspects of childhood psoriasis, its onset, precipitating factors, demographics, pathogenesis and therapeutic options are discussed

Leishmaniasis in Sindh, Pakistan: outbreak and review of the literature

Cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] is endemic in Pakistan and is widely spreading day by day. Earlier, we proposed that leishmaniasis is endemic in Jacobabad, Dadu and Larkana districts of Sindh Province. It was pointed out that the disease is dramatically spreading in the country and warned that if the preventive measures were not taken at right time there would be a serious public health problem in the country. Since then, we have regular watch on the disease. Fresh clinical observations of CL patients who visited our department from 2004 to 2005. This study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Chandka Medical College Larkana. A total of 1640 cases of CL were seen during this period. Among the 1640 patients, 470 were residents of different cities of Balochistan Province; and 1170 were the residents of different cities of Sindh Province like Jacobabad, Ratodero, Shahdadkot, Qambar, Warah, Mehar, Dadu, Dokri and Larkana. All the patients were aged between 3 months and 60 years. Seven hundred eighty were males and 860 were females. Duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 12 months. Most of the patients had single lesions but multiple lesions were also seen on the exposed [mainly] and unexposed parts of the body. Clinically, the lesions were classified as dry ulcerative, wet ulcerative, dry papular, nodular, and crusted lesions. Diagnosis was made on the basis of smear test and clinical presentation of the skin lesions. All the cases were treated with the meglumine antimoniate 600 mg/day [adults] and 15 mg/kg/day [children] either intramuscularly for 20 consecutive days or intralesionally for 10 alternate days. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in the Sindh Province. The molecular characterization and other studies are needed for further evaluation of this disease

Clinical trial of 20% Mat lippia [bucan] topical ointment for cutaneous leishmaniasis; a preliminary trial

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in many parts of Pakistan. The mainstay of treatment is systemic pentavalent antimonials. However, many indigenous plants are also used for its treatment. To test the hypothesis that Mat lippia [Bucan], a local plant, may be topically effective in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study comprised of two parts. Part 1: An alcoholic extract from the leaves of the plant was obtained and then 20% ointment in petroleum jelly was made. In part 2, eighty patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with this ointment applied thrice daily for six weeks. Patients were followed up initially twice a week and then at weekly intervals for six weeks. 60% showed excellent response and 20% exhibited fair improvement. 20% Mat lippia ointment seems to be effective in the treatment of leishmaniasis. However, further comparative studies are warranted to confirm these findings