Prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary Chlamydia trachomatis infection among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in northern Malaysia

Chlamydia trachomatis; sexually transmitted disease; prevalence;infection@#Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) globally. However, data on its prevalence and risk factors in Malaysia is still scarce. Objective: We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection among patients attending STD clinics in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in STD clinics of Hospital Pulau Pinang and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah from January to November 2014. Participants were individually interviewed using a structured data collection form followed by a physical examination and laboratory tests. Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) was used to detect C.trachomatis infection. Analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 15. Results: Eighty-three sexually active patients were enrolled, consisting of 51 males and 32 females. The median age was 28.0 years. In general, 32.5% patients were asymptomatic, the remaining presented with genital discharge (41.0%), genital warty lesion (25.3%), genital ulcer (13.3%), dysuria (13.3%), dyspareunia (2.4%), urine hesistancy (1.2%) and genital swelling (1.2%). The prevalence of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection was 21.7% in the study population; 17.6% in males and 28.1% in females. Among the infected females, 44.4% were pregnant. Of those infected 56.6% did not show any symptoms of genital infection, and 77.8% were aged between 18 and 30 years, of which most were females. Among newly diagnosed HIV patients, the prevalence was 14.3%. From multivariable logistic regression analysis, age under 28 years, being married and engagement in oral sex had significantly increased odds of C.trachomatis infection. Conclusions: C.trachomatis infection was common among patients attending STD clinics in northern Penisular Malaysia especially in the younger age groups. Majority of the infected patients were asymptomatic.

Perceptions and psychosocial judgement of patients with acne vulgaris

@#Introduction: People often judge others and make decisions based on the physical appearance of an individual. This study assesses the perception and psychosocial judgment on patients with acne vulgaris compared to those with clear skin. Methods: This survey was conducted in Penang from October 2016 to June 2017. Respondents were those who were ≥18 years. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire which consists of three randomly selected facial pictures, with at least one acne skin and one clear skin picture. Results: A total of 435 respondents were recruited. Two third of the respondents (76%) suffered or had suffered from acne. The skin was the first thing noticed by 76.1% respondents when viewing pictures with acne compared with 24.8% with clear skin (p <0.05). People with acne were perceived as being unattractive, sad, lonely, distant, unhealthy, disheveled and shy as compared to people with clear skin (p<0.05). People with clear skin were perceived to be healthier, confident, happy, attractive, successful and intelligent (p<0.05). Respondents were more willing to engage socially with people with clear skin rather than those with acne skin. A significantly higher proportion of respondents were likely to hire or vote for those with clear skin as compared to acne skin. People with acne were also perceived to have a lower educational level and poorer leadership quality. Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that there were significantly negative perception and psychological judgement toward individuals with acne vulgaris. These negative impacts may affect social life of the acne sufferers, their prospect of employment and career opportunities.

A 10-years retrospective study on Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs) in a tertiary hospital in Penang, Malaysia

Introduction: Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions(SCARs) are not uncommon and potentially lifethreatening.Our objective is to study the patientcharacteristics, the pattern of implicated drugs andtreatment outcome among patients with SCARs.Methods: A 10-year retrospective analysis of SCARscases in Penang General Hospital was carried out fromJanuary 2006 to December 2015. Data collection is basedon the Malaysian Adverse Drug Reactions AdvisoryCommittee registry and dermatology clinic records.Results: A total of 189 cases of SCARs were encountered(F:M ratio; 1.2:1.0; mean age of 45 year). The commonestmanifestation was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome [SJS](55.0%), followed by toxic epidermal necrolysis [TEN](23.8%), drug rash with eosinophilia and systemicsymptoms [DRESS] (12.7%), acute generalisedexanthematous pustulosis [AGEP] (4.8%), SJS/TENoverlap syndrome (2.6%) and generalised bullous fixeddrug eruptions [GBFDE] (1.1%). Mean time to onset forTEN/SJS/Overlap syndrome was 10.5±13 days; AGEP,three days; GBFDE, 2.5±0.7 days, and DRESS, 29.4±5.7days. The most common drugs implicated wereantibiotics (33.3%), followed by allopurinol (18.9%) andanticonvulsant (18.4%). Out of 154 cases ofSJS/TEN/overlap syndrome, allopurinol was thecommonest causative agents (20.1%). In DRESS,allopurinol accounts for 45.8% of the cases. The mortalityrate in SJS, TEN and DRESS were 1.9%, 13.3% and 12.5%respectively. No mortality was observed in AGEP andGBFDE.Conclusion: The commonest manifestations of SCARs inour setting were SJS, TEN and DRESS. Allopurinol wasthe most common culprit. Thus, judicious allopurinol useis advocated and pre-emptive genetic screening for HLAB*5801 should be consider

Leprosy in Pregnancy: A Case Series in 4 Dermatology Clinics in Malaysia

IntroductionManagement of leprosy in pregnancy is challenging. Here we aim to describe the clinical characteristicsand the management of leprosy in pregnancy.MethodsThis is a retrospective study on pregnant women with leprosy managed in the Department ofDermatology in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah andHospital Queen Elizabeth between 1994 and 2015.ResultsThere were ten patients with 12 pregnancies with a median age of 27.5 years (range: 16-33). Fivewere foreigners. There were four cases of lepromatous leprosy, two cases of borderline lepromatous,two cases borderline tuberculoid leprosy and one case each for tuberculoid and mid borderline leprosy.Seven pregnancies (58%) were documented to have reactions. Four reversal reactions (33%), threeerythema nodusom leprosum (25%) and two Lucio’s phenomenon (17%) were documented. Bothpatients with Lucio’s phenomenon had undiagnosed leprosy and presented with preterm labour,anemia, oligohydramnios and intrauterine growth restriction. Mortality was recorded in one patientdue to dapsone induced hypersensitivity syndrome complicated with septicaemia. All patients wereprescribed multidrug therapy but in three pregnancies, the patients chose to defer the treatment. Therewas a spontaneous miscarriage at second trimester and a case of early neonatal death. The neonatalcomplications recorded for the 10 live deliveries were low birth weight, jaundice and clofazimineinducedhyperpigmentation.ConclusionThe majority of our patients with leprosy had complications throughout the pregnancies. Earlydetection and prompt treatment can prevent unfavorable fetal outcome & threatened maternal health.

Atypical Presentation of Cutaneous Larva Migrans: A Case Report & Literature Review

Cutaneous larva migrans, also known as “migrant linear epidermitis”, “beach worm”, “migranthelminthiasis”, “dermatitis serpiginosus” or “creeping eruption”. It is a zoonosis which caused byaccidental percutaneous inoculation of helminth larvae, usually parasites of the small intestines of catsand dogs. It typically presents as an itchy, erythematous, serpiginous, cutaneous eruption. We describea case of disseminated and extensive infection of cutaneous larva migrans in a 21-year-old traveler,leading a delay in diagnosis and treatment.