Kaposi's sarcoma: A presenting manifestation of HIV infection in an Indian.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal neoplastic proliferation of endothelial cells predominantly involving skin and other organs. HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma has been rarely reported from India. A 38-year-old male presented with persistent swelling on the left lower limb for one year along with multiple erythematous to dusky papules and plaques of one and half months duration and swelling and black discoloration of right lower limb for one month. Cutaneous examination revealed numerous skin colored and erythematous papules and plaques distributed on the left lower limb on the anteromedial aspect and verrucous plaque on the left sole. Multiple erythematous, grouped papules were present over the soft palate. Skin biopsy showed numerous slit like spaces dissecting into the collagen of the upper and mid-dermis along with 'promontory sign' suggestive of Kaposi's sarcoma. Patient was found to be HIV-positive by ELISA test.

Adult cutaneous myofibroma.

A 63-year-old male presented with an asymptomatic, slow-growing swelling on the right lower limb for the past one and half years. The histopathology revealed a lobular neoplasm with a biphasic pattern of spindle shaped cells and hemangiopericytoma like areas at the periphery of the lobule. The diagnosis of adult cutaneous myofibroma was made. This case highlights the importance of histopathology in reaching a definitive diagnosis.

An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in dermatology indoor patients.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen. Indiscriminate and increased use of systemic antibiotics has led to the emergence of MRSA. Infected or colonized ward patients are the main reservoir of infection. Once colonized, the risk of subsequent local and systemic infections is high, especially in the elderly, and in debilitated and immunosuppressed patients. METHODS: We report an outbreak of MRSA in the dermatology ward of a tertiary care hospital and describe measures taken to control it. RESULTS: Ten patients were found to be MRSA positive over a span of three months while screening swabs from wet lesions in indoor patients. On the basis of risk assessment, they were treated with appropriate systemic and topical therapy. One patient died while the remaining nine patients showed a good response to therapy. All the MRSA isolates were found to be sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report of MRSA infection in dermatology indoor patients in India.

Acanthosis nigricans: a dermatologic marker of metabolic disease.

Most patients with acanthosis nigricans have either clinical or subclinical insulin resistance. We undertook a study to estimate the insulin sensitivity of a group of patients referred from the dermatologist with biopsy proven acanthosis nigricans. Thirty-six patients were evaluated in the Endocrinology clinic. Plasma glucose and serum Insulin levels were estimated after a 75 gms oral glucose load (OGTT). An intravenous Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) was performed with measurement of Glucose Disposal Rate (GDR). There were 28 females and 8 males (M:F--3.5:1; mean age 26.3+/-1.7 years) in the study. 25/36 patients were morbidly obese (BMI--36.0 +/- 1.2 Kg/m2) with an abnormal body fat distribution (WH ratio--0.9 +/ - 0.02). One patient had generalized lipoatrophy. 16/36 patients with acanthosis nigricans had IGT or overt diabetes and all had highly significant hyperinsulinemia (AUCI = 20825 +/ 1287.7 vs. 6340.0 +/- 984.2 mIU/ml/hr in controls, p < 0.0005). The GDR in patients with acanthosis nigricans was reduced (-0.66 +/- 0.07) compared to controls (-0.39 +/- 0.08; p < 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between indices of adiposity and insulin resistance in subjects with impaired tolerance.

A study of insulin resistance in subjects with acanthosis nigricans.

AIM: To study the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) and its sequelae in patients with acanthosis. METHODOLOGY: Thirty six patients (28 females; eight males) with biopsy proven acanthosis nigricans and eight controls were evaluated for insulin sensitivity (IS) by estimating (a) the glucose and insulin responses to a 75 gm glucose load (Oral glucose tolerance test-OGTT), (b) the glucose disposal rate (GDR) during an intravenous insulin tolerance test (ITT). Serum androgen levels (testosterone--Te, androstenedione--ASD, Dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate--DHEAS) were estimated in the basal state and 60 min after a bolus of insulin. Thyroid function tests (tri-iodo-thyronine--T3, thyroxine--T4, thyroid stimulating hormone--TSH) were performed in all subjects. RESULTS: The acanthotic population, overall had insignificant hyperglycemia (Area under curve of glucose--AUC-G : 17,745.5 +/- 847.5 v/s 11,051.3 +/- 274.5 mg/dl/min) and hyperinsulinemia (Area under curve of insulin -AUC-I: 20,825.2 +/- 1,287.7 v/s 6,340.1 +/- 984.2 microlU/ml/min) compared to controls during OGTT. Eight patients with acanthosis nigricans had impaired glucose tolerance and eight had overt diabetes using WHO criteria. 69.4% of the acanthotic subjects were obese and 13.9% (5/36) were hypertensive. Thyroid dysfunction was present in three (one had hypothyroidism and two had thyrotoxicosis). Reproductive disorders--menstrual irregularity (46.5%), amenorrhea (21.4%), hirsuitism (21.4%) and infertility (3.6%) was encountered in a significant number of acanthotics. Acanthotics overall had statistically higher levels of androgens; Te (females)--0.74 +/- 0.09 v/s 0.27 +/- 0.09 ng/ml (p < 0.005), ASD--1.8 +/- 0.21 v/s 0.94 +/- 0.2 ng/ml (p < 0.005) and DHEAS--1,880.8 +/- 216.3 v/s 772.8 +/- 210.4 ng/ml (p < 0.005). An elevated DHEAS correlated positively to body mass index (BMI) and android obesity. Serum Te levels correlated positively with GDR. Serum insulin levels increased progressively with obesity and acanthosis. Serum insulin was associated with progressive worsening of hyperandrogenism (as seen in non-obese controls, non-obese and obese acanthotics). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with acanthosis nigricans should be screened for insulin resistance and its clinical and metabolic sequelae. Thyroid dysfunction should be sought in these subjects as it can be easily treated.

Endocrine profiles in six patients with acanthosis nigricans.

Six women (age range 17-38 years), who presented to the dermatology services with biopsy-proven acanthosis nigricans of variable duration were evaluated to rule out endocrine diseases. Menstrual abnormalities (5/6 patients), pallid striae (4/6 patients), hirsutism (4/6 patients) and acne vulgaris (2/6 patients) were found on physical examination. All the patients had body mass indices in the obese (> 27 kg/m2) range, and in association we found ovarian hyperthecosis, PCOD, premature ovarian failure, glucose intolerance and hyperprolactinaemia in the above six patients. The importance of appropriate endocrinal evaluation in patients with biopsy-proven acanthosis nigricans is emphasized.