Recurrent and persistent pityriasis rosea: an atypical case presentation

We report a case of atypical pityriasis rosea in a 24-year-old Malay man. He presented with an 11-month history of three recurrent and persistent episodes of pityriasis rosea associated with oral ulcers. The first episode lasted for one month and recurred within 14 days. The second episode lasted for three months and recurred within nine days. The third episode lasted for seven months. Although all three episodes were not preceded by any prodromal symptoms, a herald patch was noted on three different sites (the left iliac fossa, abdomen and chest) on each successive episode. Recurrent pityriasis rosea and its association with oral ulcers, although quite uncommon, have been reported in the literature. However, reports of multiple recurrences, with prolonged duration of each episode and very short remissions in between, have not been made. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such unique presentation.

Rising trends of STIs and HIV infection in Singapore-- a review of epidemiology over the last 10 years (1994 to 2003)

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This is a review of the epidemiology and trends of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Singapore from 1994 to 2003.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Data collated for both notifiable and non-notifiable STIs from 1994 to 2003 were analysed. This data consisted of STI notifications from medical practitioners in Singapore as well as from the Department of STI Control clinic itself.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a decline in the overall STI incidence in Singapore in the first half of the last decade from 215 cases per 100,000 population (7,200 cases) in 1994 to 162 cases per 100,000 population (6,318 cases) in 1999, followed by an increasing trend in the number of acute STIs (both bacterial and viral) over the past 5 years to 195 cases per 100,000 population (8,175 cases) in 2003 (P <0.001). The incidence of HIV has risen sharply over the last decade whilst that of other viral STIs has not decreased. Singaporeans are becoming sexually active at a younger age, with casual partners constituting the main primary contacts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although there has been a significant decline in the overall incidence of STIs in Singapore over the last decade, a rise in acute STIs over the last 5 years has resulted in the need to identify the causal factors, and to intensify existing as well as develop new STI/HIV prevention programmes for the general population and certain core groups.</p>