Therapeutic application of machine learning in psoriasis: A Prisma systematic review.

Dermatology, being a predominantly visual-based diagnostic field, has found itself to be at the epitome of artificial intelligence (AI)-based advances. Machine learning (ML), a subset of AI, goes a step further by recognizing patterns from data and teaches machines to automatically learn tasks. Although artificial intelligence in dermatology is mostly developed in melanoma and skin cancer diagnosis, advances in AI and ML have gone far ahead and found its application in ulcer assessment, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, onychomycosis, etc. This article is focused on the application of ML in the therapeutic aspect of psoriasis.

Itch in Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa: A Systematic Review.

Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit leading to formation of painful, inflammatory nodules, abscesses and tunnels in apocrine gland-bearing areas of the skin. Pain and drainage are the most important symptoms associated with reduction of quality of life in HS. On the other hand, an overlooked symptom in quality of life studies is itch, despite the fact that several studies have reported its importance. Various theories have tried to explain the pathogenesis of itch in HS, such as the presence of mast cells in the cell infiltrates and elevated Ig E levels in the lesional skin. Smoking and advanced stage of disease have been found to be associated with increased intensity of itch. A PUBMED search was conducted to perform a systematic literature review using the term "hidradenitis suppurativa" [all fields], the keywords "pruritus", "itching", "itch" [all fields] and with "AND" as operator. Mast cells and mTor signaling were found to be raised in both lesional and perilesional skin. Itch as a presenting symptom has been found in 35-82.6% of patients across multiple studies. It often co-presents with pain and may be misinterpreted as burning, stinging, tickling, tweaking, prickling, etc. The presence of itch is associated with reduced quality of life, depression and impairment of social life. Brodalumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-17A receptor, produced significant improvements in itch, pain, QoL and depression in patients with moderate to severe HS. Statins have shown some reduction in itch intensity score. Further studies are required to gain a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis and optimal therapeutic modalities for itch in HS that will allow clinicians to better address issue and reduce its impact on quality of life.

Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets Type II with Alopecia: A Rare Case Report.

Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II is a rare hereditary disorder. It occurs due to mutations in the gene chr. 12q12-q14, which codes for vitamin D receptor. End-organ resistance to 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 and alopecia in severe cases are the characteristic features. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy with loss of hair over the scalp and body - first observed after 1 month of birth. The boy also developed difficulty in walking at the age of 2 year. On analysis, reduced serum calcium level (7.5 mg/dL) and elevated alkaline phosphatase level (625 IU/L) were reported. Initially, the treatment included intramuscularly administered single dose of 600,000 IU vitamin D, followed by 400 IU of vitamin D along with 1 g of supplemental calcium every day. Periodic follow-up was conducted for 2 months. Improvement was observed in the biochemical parameters and X-rays of the distal radial and ulnar metaphyses, although no improvement was observed in alopecia.

Correlation of serum antithyroid microsomal antibody and autologous serum skin test in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: About 25-45% of patients of chronic urticaria (CU) have been stated to have histamine releasing autoantibodies in their blood. The term autoimmune urticaria is increasingly being accepted for this subgroup of patients. Review of the literature suggests high autologous serum skin test (ASST) positivity and presence of antithyroid microsomal antibodies in patients with autoimmune urticaria. AIMS: To study prevalence of ASST positivity and antithyroid microsomal antibodies in chronic "idiopathic" urticaria and to study the correlation between the two parameters. METHODS: All patients of chronic idiopathic urticaria satisfying inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after written informed consent. Patients of CU secondary to infections and infestations, physical urticaria including dermatographism, mastocytosis, urticarial vasculitis and those on treatment with immunosuppressive drugs for urticaria were excluded from the study. In all of these patients, complete blood count; ASST, serum T3/T4/thyroid stimulating hormone levels, antithyroid microsomal antibody (AMA) levels were done. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and Kappa statistics. RESULTS: Study included 24 males and 26 females with mean age of 39.54 years. Majority of patients belonged to 20-40 years of age. Females showed more ASST positivity. A total of 12 out of 50 (24%) patients showed positive ASST. A total of four out of 12 (33.33%) had positive ASST and raised AMA levels. CONCLUSION: Only 25% of patients of chronic idiopathic urticaria had positive ASST. ASST and AMA levels were positively correlated in our study. Further studies are required to authenticate this association.

Rhinocerebrocutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor species: A rare causation.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common form of mucormycosis occurring commonly in patients of diabetic ketoacidosis. Fungi of the order Mucorales belong to six families, among whom Rhizopus is the most common, while Mucor is a rare cause. We report a 45-year-old female with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus diagnosed to have rhinocerebrocutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor species. The diagnosis was confirmed on histology and culture. A high-index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy to optimize the outcome. Our patient succumbed to her infection.

Malignant Mediterranean spotted fever.

Fever with rash is one of the most common causes of referral to a dermatologist. A plethora of conditions need to be considered in the differential diagnosis. They may be broadly classified into infectious causes, drug reactions, and autoimmune disorders. Here we present a rare case of rickettsial fever with cardiac involvement in an elderly male patient with no comorbidities.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita restricted to both breasts in a young female.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is a very rarely occurring congenital disorder with persistent cutis marmorata, telangiectasia, and phlebectasia. This disorder may be associated with cutaneous atrophy and ulceration of the involved skin. We herewith report a 20-year-old female patient with CMTC since childhood along with ulcerations on both breasts. CMTC is a benign vascular anomaly presenting with dilatation of capillaries and veins of dermis and is apparent at birth. The patient had reticulated bluish-purple skin changes over both breasts. Although it resembled physiological cutis marmorata, it was more pronounced and definitely was unvarying and permanent in pattern. A variety of vascular malformations have been described along with this disorder. Etiology is not very clear; it may be multifactorial in origin. Prognosis in uncomplicated cases is good.