Correlation of total serum IgE and density of house dust mites with severity of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis [AD] is a chronic relapsing skin disease that commonly begins during infancy and early childhood. Research studies refers to a relationship between exacerbation of atopic dermatitis and exposure to house dust mite [HDM], but the role of HDM in the pathogenesis of AD is controversial. The objecitve of this study was to assess the correlation of density of HDM in homes of AD patients with clinical severity of AD and total serum IgE level. The severity of AD was determined in 150 patients referred to Hazrat-E- Rasoul hospital dermatology clinic from May 2001 to February 2003 using SCORAD. Total serum IgE level and mite population densities in 5 minutes suction of floors and mattresses at the homes of patients were determined. There was statistical correlation between relative mite population densities and total serum IgE with SCORAD [P=0.01]. Reducing HDM population in homes of AD patients may help a better management of the patients

Comparison of effectiveness between ketoconazole 2% and selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoos in the treatment of tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a common superficial mycosis, which is caused by lipophilic yeasts, Malessezia furfur. It is a chronic and recurrent skin disease. It occurs most commonly in young post pubertal people and in hot and humid climates [north and south provinces of Iran]. Comparison of effects of ketoconazole 2% shampoo [Shafa Lab] with selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo on tinea versicolor. Two-hundred patients with tinea versicolor were divided in 2 groups, each consisted of 100 patients, one group was treated with ketoconazole 2% shampoo and the other one with selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo. We found out that ketoconazole 2% shampoo was more effective [89% cure rate] than selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo [35% cure rate]. It seems that ketoconazole 2% shampoo is more effective than selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo in the treatment of tinea versicolor

Uses of intravenous immunoglobulines

Adjuvant high dose IVIgs are being used increasingly in a range of immune-mediated and auto-immune diseases. Although numerous immunomodulatory mechanisms have been suggested, the exact mechanisms of action are poorly understood. The efficacy of IVIg in certain diseases has been proven in clinical trials, in so far as IVIg is approved as the therapy of choice for Kawasaki syndrome and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. IVIg treatment has been shown to be safe, without many drug-related adverse effects, including systemic immunosuppression, that are related to corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. Current dermatologic uses of IVIg are increasing, which calls for adequately controlled clinical trials. This review evaluates the current published data on the use of IVIg therapy in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and discusses current opinion concerning its potential immunomodulating mechanisms, the industrial preparation and safety features of this biologic agent

Recurrent local palmar peeling associated with port-wine stain

There are no reports of association of specific cutaneous conditions in patients with local recurrent palmar peeling. Herein, we report a case with characteristic clinical presentation of local recurrent palmar peeling associated with a port-wine stain lesion.To the best of our knowledge, that association has not been reported before. Interesting points in the presented case are unilateral occurrence of the peeling disorder and its limitation to the region of port-wine stain

[Comparison of spironolactone plus cyproterone acetate plus cyproterone compound with spironolactone plus cyproterone compound in hirsutism: a randomized clinical trial]

Monotherapy is not usually effective in the treatment of hirsutism. Comparison of 2 therapeutic regimens in the treatment of hirsutism. In this open parallel controlled clinical trial, 101 Patients suffering from hirsutism were randomly divided into two equal groups. 50 patients were treated with spironolactone [50 mg/day] plus cyproterone compound [From 5th to 26th day of menstrual cycle] and the other group [51 patients] received cyproterone acetate 50 mg/day [From 5[th] to 14[th] day of menstrual cycle] in addition to the above mentioned drugs for 6 months. The serum level of sex hormones and hirsutism score [Ferriman-Gallway] were determined before and after treatment. T-test, chi-2 test and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. Mean hirsutism score was 22.12 +/- 0.34 in first group and 22.15 +/- 0.34 in second group before treatment. Hirsutism score was reduced to 12.74 +/- 0.32 after treatment with 3 drugs and reduced to 16.73 +/- 0.35 after treatment with 2 drugs. This reduction was significantly more in the first group after adjustment for other confounding variables [P < 0.001]. These two therapeutic regimens were both effective in the treatment of hirsutism without serious hepatic, renal and metabolic side effects. Treatment with 3 anti-androgen drugs was more effective in reduction of hirsutism scores

[Basal cell carcinoma superimposed on an old scar of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis: a case report]

Basal cell carcinoma [BCC] is the most common malignant tumor of the skin, which originates from the basal cell layer of the skin. It is more common in white race with skin types I and II. Some predisposing factors are sunlight, ionizing radiation, arsenic salts, PUVA and scar. We present a case of BCC, which appeared over an old scar of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 49-year-old woman

[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a 13-year-old boy with provisional hypomyopathic juvenile dermatomyositis]

Provisional hypomyopathic juvenile dermatomyositis is a subgroup of clinically amyopathic juvenile dermatomyositis provisional. The diagnostic criteria include: Classic dermatomyositis skin lesions - which have to be confirmed by biopsy, no involvement of proximal muscles, subclinical involvement of these muscles and normal level of muscle enzymes. These criteria should be present for a minimum of 6 months and maximum of 24 months. Here a 13-year-old boy is presented who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma 15 months after the diagnosis of his dermatomyositis

Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children in Iran

Atopic dermatitis is a very common skin disease specially in childhood. Recently, a new set of six criteria has been proposed for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis. We used these criteria to determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children younger than twelve years old attending a general pediatric clinic. We also studied the effect of the type of feeding in the first six months of life on the prevalence of this disease. The point prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 17.6% in this study. It was much higher in children younger than 4 years [21.2%] and it was slightly higher in boys [20% vs 15.3%]. Breast-feeding in early life showed a protective effect on the subsequent development of atopic dermatitis