Topical tazarotene cream (0.1%) in the treatment of facial acne: an open clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Tazarotene is a new 3rd generation topical acetylenic retinoid. It normalizes keratinocyte differentiation, reduces keratinocyte proliferation and decreases expression of inflammatory markers. Tazarotene was approved by U.S.F.D.A. in 1997 for acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical tazarotene 0.1% cream in the treatment of facial acne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 67 patients with facial acne in the age range of 13-30 years were enrolled in the study. Purposive sampling was done. Patients were treated with topical Tazarotene cream (0.1%) and were instructed to apply the medication as a thin film over the affected area in the evening once daily for 12 weeks. Follow-up was done at 2nd, 4th week, 8th week and at 12th week. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients, 53% got remission, 9% had good response, 34% had poor response and there was no response in 4% of the patients by 12 weeks of treatment. Among the patients, 9 (13.43%) developed mild side effects. CONCLUSION: Topical tazarotene cream (0.1%) is a effective and safe treatment option for acne vulgaris affecting face. It is mostly effective in grade-1 and grade-2 acne.

Study on association of cutaneous tuberculosis with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis continues to be a health problem in many countries. There may be simultaneous multiple organ involvement. Diagnosis of one organ disease may lead to missing off diagnosis of other organ involvement. OBJECTIVES: The present study was done to analyze the association of cutaneous tuberculosis with pulmonary tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through purposive sampling a total of 23 patients of suspected cutaneous tuberculosis were primarily enrolled in this cross sectional study. History was taken and examinations were done to find out types of cutaneous lesions and to explore a pulmonary involvement. Investigations including CBC with ESR, Mantoux test and skin biopsy were done for each and every patient. Those who had cutaneous tuberculosis on histopathology chest x-ray were done to detect pulmonary lesions. After investigations 2 patients were excluded due to absence of tubercular infection. Finally 21 patients were included in this study. Data were collected in a predesigned structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 21 patients 16 (76.19%) were male and 5 (23.81%) were female with a male to female ratio of 3.2:1. Age range varies from 5-70 years with a mean of 29.76 +/- 1 8.2 years. MT was positive in 76.20% of patients. CXR showed 23.81% of the patients with cutaneous TB had simultaneous pulmonary involvement. The association is statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cutaneous tuberculosis may have pulmonary involvement in a statistically significant number. In any patient with cutaneous TB, meticulous systemic examinations and relevant investigations have to be done to explore pulmonary involvement.