Paederus dermatitis in Najaf province of Iraq

To assess the different epidemiological and clinical features of Paederus dermatitis in Najaf province. This prospective observational study, including the clinical assessment of 87 patients with definitive diagnosis of Paederus dermatitis, who presented to a dermatology clinic in the Najaf province of Iraq, was carried out from April 2006 to April 2007. The peak time of presentation was in May, and the face and neck were the most common sites of involvement. Frightening appearance of the lesion is the main cause that brought the patients to the hospital. The symptoms of burning and stinging were of mild degree. Clinically, the most common presentation comprised geographic and linear erythematous plaques with micropustules. Kissing lesions were seen in 5.7% of cases. Periorbital involvement was recorded in 16.1% of the cases. Paederus dermatitis is a common skin condition in Najaf province. The awareness of this condition among the medical practitioners will aid in the early diagnosis and prompt treatment of the disease. Also, overall public awareness can help decrease the incidence of Paederus dermatitis

Pityriasis versicolor in children A clinical study of 82 cases

Pityriasis versicolor [PV] is a superficial fungal infection that is uncommonly reported in children. Clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by mycological examination of scales collected by scraping of the lesion or by an adhesive tape. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and the clinical features of PV in Iraqi children and to ascertain the diagnostic specificity of direct mycological examination. Patients and Eighty-two patients were included in the study during a 3-year period. The inclusion criteria included age less than 15 years, clinical diagnosis compatible with PV, and positive mycological diagnosis. Mycological examination was done for 82 age and sex matched patients with piryriasis alba or vitiligo as a control group. Children constituted 10.8% of all cases of PV seen in our department during the study period. The disease occurred mainly among older children. mean age 11.7 years. There was a slight female predominance. Family history was positive among 69.5% of the children. The disease presented mainly during the spring and summer months [70.7%]. The lesions occurred mainly on the face [51.2%]. The hypopigmented variant was predominant [71.9%]. The scraping test for fungus was negative in all control cases. PV occurs rarely among children, but the differential diagnosis of hypopigmented lesions on the face of a child should include this condition. Direct examination is a quick and easy test to confirm the diagnosis of the disease