Current mycological profile of dermatophytosis in a tertiary care set up in North Bengal

To determine the occurrence, distribution and mycological profile of dermatophytosis in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. A total of 200 specimens were collected from clinically suspected dermatophytoses from February to April 2013. Samples of skin scrapings, hair shafts and nails were sent to laboratory from dermatology OPD for direct examination, fungal culture and identification. Adult males outnumbered females in all cases of dermatophytosis except tinea corporis. Most cases showed high culture sensitivity except tinea unguium. Trichophyton rubrum was the most commonly isolated fungal organism. This study identifies the clinical distribution and predominant organisms causing dermatophytosis in North Bengal, which may be useful to ascertain the past and present trends in dermatophytosis and provide insight into future diagnosis and treatment

Seborrhoeic keratosis: bilaterally symmetrical linear verrucous lesions in inguinal folds, an unusual presentation

Seborrhoeic keratosis is the commonest benign epithelial tumour that occurs from middle age onwards most commonly on sun-exposed areas. We, herewith, report a case of seborrhoeic keratosis with bilaterally symmetrical linear verrucous lesions in both inguinal folds. Linear verrucous epidermal nevus, condyloma acuminata and bowenoid papulosis were excluded by history and histopathological data. Chronic candidiasis of groin in this diabetic patient may be responsible for peculiar localization of the tumour

Clinical profile of pityriasis versicolor in a referral hospital of West Bengal

Pityriasis versicolor [PV] is a common superficial mycosis in the tropical countries. It is caused by several species of a lipophilic dimorphic fungus, Malassezia. Depending on climatic condition, its clinical profile is expected to vary from one region to other. To determine clinical profile and some important associations in this disease in a referral hospital of Northern part of West Bengal. 160 consecutive microscopically confirmed cases of pityriasis versicolor attending the OPD were taken up for detailed history and clinical examination. PV was found to be the commonest in the age group 13-24 years. 35.6% were females. In 51.9% cases PV was the presenting complaint. In 53.8% the disease was asymptomatic. The commonest clinical presentation was hypopigmented macules and the commonest site of involvement was face in children and females above the age of 12 years and chest in males above 12 years. Involvement of lower limb was significantly commoner [p<0.05] in children than their older counterparts. Seborrheic dermatitis was found in 31.9% of our cases. Environmental factors played more important role in our series than other known predisposing factors. Relationship between PV and seborrheic dermatitis is still an enigma which needs further investigation. Lower limb is a common site of affection among children

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia: improvement in a recurrent case with isotretinoin

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia [ALHE], characterized by dermal and subcutaneous nodules in head and neck areas, is often very disfiguring. There are different modalities of treatment but surgery seems to be the best. We report a 31-year-old man with recurrent ALHE showing considerable improvement with isotretinoin

Metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin

Cancer of unknown primary [CUP] origin is the diagnosis when metastatic cancer is found but the primary site cannot be determined. The peculiarity of our case is eleven months after the occurrence of two lesions of florid cutaneous metastases, the primary tumor or metastasis to a second organ could still not be identified despite thorough investigation