ABSTRACT
Background@#Ophthalmologic evaluation is often neglected in routine screening of Hansen’s disease patients. In line with the global aim of reducing grade 2 disability, eye examination should be an essential part of routine examination of Hansen’s disease patients.@*Objective@#To describe the ophthalmologic profile of patients with Hansen’s disease seen in a tertiary hospital.@*Methods@#A point-prevalence survey was conducted. Sixty-six Hansen’s disease patients, aged 18 and above, underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity, refraction, external eye examination, intraocular pressure determination, dilated pupil examination, palpebral aperture measurement, corneal sensation testing, and tear breakup time determination. Statistical analysis was done.@*Results@#All patients had ocular findings with lepromatous leprosy (62%) being the highest. Fifty-three percent had Type 2 lepra reaction. Most were males, disease duration in majority was < 5 years and bacillary morphologic index was 4.0 – 4.99. Patients with Grade 1 and Grade 2 disability of the eyes were 62% and 17% respectively. The most common ocular complications were: abnormal tear breakup time (79%), cataracts (53%),blepharitis (47%), madarosis (39%) and corneal opacities (24%).@*Conclusion@#There is a significant number of ocular findings among leprosy patients in this study. The highest number of ocular complications is among patients in the lepromatous pole. There is a preference of M. leprae for cooler areas; hence, the anterior chamber was greatly affected.
Subject(s)
LeprosyABSTRACT
Background@#Superficial pyoderma is an infection most commonly caused by Staphyloccoccus aureus. The drug of choice is 2% mupirocin cream. However, high cost and emerging drug resistance affect compliance and overall cure. Tinospora rumphii has demonstrated antibacterial activity in vivo rendering it a potential cost-effective alternative treatment.@*Objectives@#To determine the safety and efficacy of 25% T. rumphii cream versus 2% mupirocin cream in the treatment of superficial pyodermas caused by S. aureus.@*Methods@#A randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 60 patients with superficial pyodermas caused by S aureus, aged 18-60, were given either 25% T. rumphii or 2% mupirocin cream for two weeks. Bactericidal activity, erythema, edema, induration and size of lesion were evaluated at baseline, days 3, 7, and 14. Participants Global Assessment (PGA) score and adverse events were noted. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U and Pearson Chi square test. RESULTS: Fifty-one subjects (85%) completed the trial. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups for bactericial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.687) at day 14, for erythema (p=0.923, 0.5335, 0.3726, 0.6949), edema (p=0.0972, 0.5967, 0.2052, 0.2783), induration (p=0.0855, 0.3113, 0.281, 0.3161), and size of lesions (p=0.7262, 0.169, 0.15, 0.3988) at baseline, days 3, 7 and 14. There was no significant difference in PGA score (p=0.3086, 0.3483, 0.2234) at Days 3, 7 and 14 in both groups. No adverse events were noted.@*Conclusion@#Twenty five percent T. rumphii cream is equally safe and effective as 2% mupirocin cream for treatment of superficial pyodermas caused by S. aureus.
Subject(s)
Mupirocin , Staphylococcus aureusABSTRACT
Introduction@#There are very few reported incidences of juvenile dermatomyositis in the Philippine setting.@*Case Summary@#This is a case of a 9-year-old female from Batangas City, who came in with a 3-year history of multiple non- tender, non-pruritic erythematous papules which started on the dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal joints of the hands, with some progressing into plaques on the face and extremities. No other associated symptoms such as fever, cough, colds or weakness were noted. Three months prior to consult, there was persistence of the above-mentioned lesions with body weakness described as difficulty getting out of bed and climbing stairs. Consult with a dermatologist and rheumatologist was done. A skin punch biopsy showed hyperkeratosis of the stratum corneum. There was focal vacuolar alteration of the basal cell layer with thickening of the basement membrane zone. The papillary dermis showed pigment-laden macrophages, a calcified nodule, fibrosis, and a sparse perivascular inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes. There was also thickening of the basement membrane zone on Periodic acid-Schiff stain. Both clinical and histopathological findings point to Juvenile Dermatomyositis.@*Conclusion@#Juvenile Dermatomyositis requires prompt diagnosis for proper treatment and prognostication. This entails extensive diagnostic procedures such as skin punch biopsy, muscle enzymes such as CK-MB and CK- MM, and blood tests. Co-management with a pediatric rheumatologist is highly advised for initiation and regulation of oral corticosteroids as well as vitamin supplementation.
Subject(s)
Dermatomyositis , Connective Tissue , RheumatologyABSTRACT
Background@#Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic properties and can be used as an alternative to corticosteroids for mosquito bites. No studies on VCO for mosquito bites have been published.@*Objective@#To compare the safety and efficacy of VCO against 1% Hydrocortisone as an anti-inflammatory and anti- pruritic preparation for mosquito bites.@*Method@#This is a randomized, double-blind study comparing the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effect of VCO versus 1% Hydrocortisone on Aedes aegypti bites, by measuring the mean lesion size, subjective assessment of the effects on bites, pruritus intensity through the visual analog, and verbal rating scale in 91 subjects at baseline, 1 hour, days 1, 3, and 7.@*Results@#During the first hour and throughout the seven-day period, there was a decrease in the mean lesion size, visual, and verbal scale score for both VCO and Hydrocortisone groups. The mean lesion size for both groups were not statistically significant on the 1st and 24th hour. On day 3, the mean lesion size for the VCO group was 0.02 and 0.71 for the Hydrocortisone group which was statistically significant in favor of VCO. The mean visual and verbal scale scores for pruritus for both treatment groups were not statistically significant. As early as the 1st hour, the proportion of patients who reported total clearance of lesions in the VCO group was 34.09% compared to 6.38% in the Hydrocortisone group. On day 7, both treatment groups had resolution of lesions. No adverse reactions were noted.@*Conclusion@#Virgin coconut oil is safe, cost-effective, and comparable to 1% Hydrocortisone as an anti- inflammatory and anti-pruritic agent.