A study of 113 cases of genital ulcerative disease and urethral discharge syndrome with validation of syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases.

AIMS: To validate syndromic management of cases having genital ulcerative disease (GUD) and urethral discharge syndrome (UDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study of 113 cases of GUD and UDS was carried out in the Department of Skin and VD from March 2011 to August 2012. All cases having history and clinical evidence suggestive of GUD and UDS were included in the study. RESULTS: According to syndromic diagnosis, GUD herpetic syndrome was the most common 71 (62.27%), followed by GUD non-herpetic syndrome 25 (21.89%) and UDS 17 (14.91%). Out of 71 cases clinically diagnosed as GUD herpetic, 16 (22.53%) were validated by immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV) serology, 14 (19.71%) by Tzanck smear and 3 (4.22%) by both. 24 (33.80%) were Reactive plasma Reagin (RPR)(<1:8) reactive and trepenomma palidum haem-agglutination positive. Out of total 25 clinically diagnosed GUD non herpetic cases, 22 (88%) were validated by laboratory tests Out of 17 cases of UDS, 15 (88%) were validated by smear. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity and specificity of clinically diagnosed syndrome is not so high particularly for GUD herpetic syndrome Continuous monitoring of diagnostic component of syndromic approach is key to success of STD control program.

Lupus panniculitis as an initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

In May, 2003, a 28-year-old female presented with large non-healing ulcers on face, trunk and limbs covered with black hemorrhagic crust. There were no other systemic manifestations. Diagnosis of lupus panniculitis was considered on clinical and histopathological grounds. The lesions healed completely, with scarring, with systemic corticosteroid, hydroxychloroquine and topical 2% mupirocin. She came again in November, 2005, with malar rash, joint pain, scarring alopecia of the scalp and albuminuria. Her ANA, AntidsDNA came positive and diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She responded well to systemic corticosteroid, antimalarial and topical antibacterial. The evolution of lupus panniculitis is slow and characterized by regression of the inflammatory lesions when treated with antimalarial drugs. The lupus panniculitis generally has a favorable course.

Hematohidrosis: A rare clinical entity.

Hematohidrosis is a rare clinical condition of sweating blood. A 13-year-old boy was presented to the department of dermatology with a history of spontaneous bleeding from skin since January 2007. During examination, it disappeared as soon as it was mopped leaving behind no sign of trauma only to reappear within a few seconds. This confirms that it was sweating of blood and not bleeding. Bleeding time, clotting time and prothrombin time was normal. Patient was diagnosed with hematohidrosis clinically by exclusion, confirmed by benzidine test, biochemical and microscopic examination of fluid. At present, no treatment is available for this condition. Etiology is unknown till date. Stress may be a precipitating factor.

Clinical study of cutaneous drug eruptions in 200 patients.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous drug reactions are the most common adverse reactions attributed to drugs. Any skin disorder can be imitated, induced or aggravated by drugs. AIMS: The present study was carried out to determine the age, sex incidence and clinical pattern of drug eruptions, to recognize offending drugs (self medication or prescribed), to evaluate mortality and morbidity associated with drugs, to educate the patients, and to avoid self-administration of drugs and re-administration of the offending drugs. METHODS: The diagnosis of cutaneous drug reactions is mainly based on detailed history and correlation between drug intake and the onset of rash. Two hundred patients (112 males and 88 females) presenting with cutaneous drug reactions were studied. RESULTS: Fixed drug eruption was seen in 61 patients; others being urticaria and angioedema, morbilliform rash in 37, pruritus in 25, Stevens Johnson (SJ) syndrome in six, purpura in six, exfoliative dermatitis in five, photosensitivity in five, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in two, acneiform eruption in three, and erythema multiforme in two patients. The most frequently affected age group was 41-50 years, followed by the 21-30 and 31-40 years age groups. The youngest patient was one year old and the oldest was 80 years old. The period of development of lesions after the intake of drug(s) varies from 01-45 days. Cotrimoxazole was the offending drug in 26 cases, followed by Ibuprofen in 20 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed drug eruption was the most common drug eruption seen. Cotrimoxazole was the most common cause of drug eruptions.