Topical urea in dermatology.

For years research has been conducted to find a cutaneous moisturizer that is effective, easily available and relatively inexpensive urea, as a atopical agent, is all of this and is also a mild keratolytic. A trial was conducted over 200 patients suffering from a variety of disorders that were selected and using urea topically as urea 10 (10%), urea-20 lotion (20%), Urea-HC (with hydrocartisanl). The agent was applied twice daily for a maximum period of 8 weeks. Results indicate that urea is an effective moisturizer and in promotes the penetration of hydrocelisone into the skin.

Lichenoid tissue reaction.

Lichenoid tissue reaction (LTR) is characterised by epidermal basal cell damage which takes the form of liquefaction degeneration or cell death either apoptosis or necrosis with an associated cascade of histologic events in epidermis and dermis. LTR is found in clinical conditions with lichenoid poikilodermatous and pigmentary dermatoses. A selected group of fifty lichenoid and pigmentary dermatoses such as Lichen planus (LP) Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) Lichenoid melanodermatitis (LM) and Lichen nitidus (LN) were studied. In LP basal cell liquefaction degeneration was extensive in comparison to other disease with large number of Civatte bodies and colloid bodies. There were significant vasodilatation in upper dermis inside the massive band like infiltrate. PAS positive basement membrane was disrupted in reaction area. Hypergranulosis was conspicuous. Chronic DLE showed spotty lichenoid reaction in the form of basal cell liquefaction degeneration. Civatte bodies and colloid bodies were infrequent. Infiltrate was more focal but could be band like. Epidermal atrophy and thickening of PAS positive basement membrane were important differentiating features, LM or Melanodermatitis toxica revealed focal mild to moderate liquefaction degeneration of basal cells with atrophy of the epidermis. The infiltrate although band like was less dense with marked pigmentary incontinence in clumps and giant melanophages. Civatte bodies, colloid bodies were not found and vascular changes were less prominent. LN showed localised basal cell damage with claw like rete ridges clutching a dense infiltrate. The dermal infiltrate often showed multinucleated giant cell. Civatte bodies and colloid bodies were not present. In some cases of the overlap syndrome LP/LE a careful study of lichenoid tissue reaction could distinguish these two diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Treatment of paucibacillary leprosy by WHO regimen

50 Cases of paucibacillary leprosy was selected for study multi-drug therapy recommended by W.H.O. for sixth months. At the end of six months, 46 cases showed "no clinical activity" and 4 cases showed increased clinical activityweth flaring up of the lesions during treatment.

Urethral syndrome in women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

Of 107 women investigated for frequency of micturition and dysuria, 21 had gonorrhoea, 14 chlamydial urethritis, eight an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection, 18 candidosis, 12 trichomoniasis, and four asymptomatic genital herpes. No organisms were isolated from 30 patients. Eighty nine women referred themselves and 18 were referred by the family practitioner. These findings suggest that Chlamydia trachomatis is frequently associated with the urethral syndrome among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics.

Treatment of trichomoniasis with metronidazole rectal suppositories.

Since a single dose of metronidazole in suppository form is very effective in the prevention of postoperative Gram-negative anaerobic infections, 84 patients with vaginal trichomoniasis were treated with metronidazole suppositories (two 1-g suppositories in a single dose). The cure rate in this series was 94%.