Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis due to dirofllaria [Nochtiella] repens: clinically suspected as cutaneous fascioliasis

The significant increase in the number of human subcutaneous dirofilariasis in recent years, suggests the appearance of a new health problem in the old world with most cases reported from Mediterranean countries. Besides the present case, eleven cases of human subcutaneous dirofilariasis have been detected in Iran, three of which belong to Gilan Province, northern Iran. We present an autochthonous case of subcutaneous Dirofllaria repens infection in a 39-year-old woman from Kouchesfahan district of Gilan Province, manifest as an itching and highly erythmatous subcutaneous tender nodule on her right thigh. The nodule was excised by a dermatologist as a suspected case of cutaneous fascioliasis. Microscopic examination of the excised nodule revealed the presence of D. repens. Since Gilan Province is the endemic region for human fascioliasis and several cases of cutaneous fascioliasis have been detected in the province during last two decades, we propose the physicians and pathologists to take in to account subcutaneous dirofilariasis as an emergent zoonosis causing dermal and visceral lesions which may sometimes misdiagnose as malignant tumors, and also as differential diagnosis of cutaneous fascioliasis

[Reaction to patch test in patients with clinical diagnoses of contact and atopic dermatitis]

Introduction: Contact eczema is a common inflammatory skin disease; different materials with irritant and allergic mechanisms can produce this disease. Although history and physical examination are important in diagnosis of allergen, because of extent of several factors, environmental allergens, were not simply recognized. Patch test is an important diagnostic tool to confirm allergic contact dermatitis and can reduce mistake of clinical diagnoses

Objective: Determine frequency of dermatic allergens in patients with contact or atopic dermatitis who were referred to Razi hospital in Rasht

Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross sectional study during 22 months, 100 patients with clinical diagnoses of contact and atopic dermatitis who referred to Razi hospital patch tested with European standard series containing 24 allergens. Their reactions were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours after application of patch test. Data was collected and were analyzed by SPSS. [P<0.05 was considered significant]

Results: Among 100 patients, positive patch test was seen in 36% whic mean age of them was [30.67] years [SD=10.85]. The most common involved location was hand [86%] and most common allergens were Nickel sulfate [20%] and potassium dichromate [9%]. In this study 6[25%] of all allergens showed positive reaction

Conclusion: Nickel Sulfate and Potassium Dichromate were the most common contact allergens in our study

Tufted hair folliculitis

A 28 year old albino man presented with a cicatricial alopecic plaque on the vertex. The patient had multiple hairs emerging from a single dilated follicular opening. Following inflammatory changes, new tufted hair appeared in spite of several periods of antibiotic treatment, and the disorder followed a relapsing and destructive course. Tufted hair folliculids [THF] is a relapsing localized inflammatory disease of the scalp. Unfortunately, this situation results in cicatricial alopecia. This disease, initially designated as "THF". by Smith and Sanderson in 1978, has been reported in only 10 patients to date

familial case of pemphigus vulgaris

A family in which two members are affected by pemphigus vulgaris is presented from Gilan. Up to now only 25 families in which more than one member was affected have been reported