Prevalence of recurrent herpes labialis in Western Maharashtra.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a disorder with serious health and social consequences and which affects most of the adults. However, high degree of research paucity pertaining to its prevalence was observed, especially from India. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of RHL in western Maharashtra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 1368 patients of either sex, satisfying the inclusion criteria, were included in the study after screening 34,560 patients for RHL lesions. Demographic data such as age, gender and risk factors, namely stress, menstruation and common cold, were recorded. Further, data regarding history of itching, fever, malaise and burning on lips followed by vesicles and frequency of lesions and duration were also recorded. After clinical examination site, size and nature of lesion were noted on a clinical pro forma. Results were compared statistically, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were in the age group of 30-39 years, with a female predominance (63.89%) (male:female = 0.33:0.59). Stress (43%) was the most common risk factor in the occurrence of RHL, followed by disturbed menstruation cycle (21%). Most of the patients had two episodes of RHL (42.4%), whereas some had just one episode of recurrence (25.4%) in the past 1 year. The most commonly occurring location for RHL was upper lip (47%), especially the left side (19.1%) and right side (18.2%) of the upper lip. The overall prevalence rate of RHL in our study was 3.9%. CONCLUSION: An established prevalence (3.9%) of RHL occurs among patients in western Maharashtra.

Intra-osseous lipoma of the talus: a case report.

Intra-osseous lipomas are rare benign tumours. We report one such case in the talus of a 60-year-old man. The patient underwent curettage and bone grafting. At the 22-month follow-up, radiographs of the talus showed dense sclerosis with multiple cortical breaks in the anterior process and no evidence of local recurrence or avascular necrosis. The patient had a painless ankle joint with normal range of movement.

Rhodotorula species infection in traumatic keratitis--a case report.

We report a case of keratitis due to Rhodotorula species in an agricultural worker following trauma with sugarcane leaf. There are very few cases of Rhodotorula infection in corneal grafts following lamellar keratoplasty. This is a unique case reporting Rhodotorula infection after traumatic corneal ulcer.

Successful treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis with cotrimoxazole.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related infection and is one of the causes of CNS mass lesions in AIDS. Toxoplasmosis is the most common cerebral mass lesion encountered in HIV-infected patients, and its incidence has increased markedly since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is associated with high mortality and morbidity in patients with acquired immunocopromised state. We are reporting a case of cerebral toxoplasmosis presented with status epileptics and treated with cotrimoxazole. Refractory status epilepsy was controlled with intravenous levetiracetam, which has a unique drug profile.