Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Fractional CO2 Laser Versus Microneedling in Atrophic Acne Scars in the Skin of Color: A Split Face Study.

Background: Post-acne scarring causes severe physical and psychological distress. Multiple treatment modalities are available with no single gold standard treatment.

Aim And Objectives: To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser and microneedling in atrophic acne scars and corelate with variables like scar type, duration, and Fitzpatrick skin types.

A Split-Face Study to Evaluate Efficacy of Autologous Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin With Microneedling Against Microneedling With Normal Saline (Placebo Control) in Atrophic Acne Scars.

Background: Acne scars cause significant psychosocial stress. Despite a wide armamentarium, there is a constant search for an effective modality. Autologous injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) is a promising novel option in the management of atrophic scars.

Combination of autologous platelet rich plasma and hydroquinone 4% is more effective than hydroquinone alone in treatment of melasma: A split-face comparative study.

Melasma is a common acquired circumscribed hyper-pigmentary disorder involving sun-exposed areas, particularly face. The high frequency of recurrence renders the management more challenging. Autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) has promising potential in the treatment of melasma.

Lepromatous leprosy as a presenting feature of HIV.

Various bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal opportunistic infections occur frequently in immunocompromised individuals, however, leprosy in retroviral disease is a relatively rare association. Hereby, we report a case of lepromatous leprosy that presented with clinical features mimicking other opportunistic infections and subsequently led to the diagnosis of HIV. The myriad challenges associated with the diagnosis and management of HIV-leprosy coinfection are also discussed.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in HIV: An insight into clinical implications and management.

Although HIV infection can mimic the manifestations of various autoimmune disorders, the coexistence of HIV and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been rarely reported. The exact impact of HIV on SLE and vice versa is unclear. We report an HIV-seropositive female on highly active antiretroviral therapy presenting with features of SLE.

Barriers to screening and isoniazid preventive therapy for child contacts of tuberculosis patients.

Background: India's guidelines recommend tuberculosis (TB) screening of household contacts aged <6 years and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for children without active disease. We evaluated the current status and barriers to screening and IPT provision among the child contacts of TB patients.

Methods: Questionnaire and health record data were collected from index cases and health care providers (HCPs) at Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, India.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Augments Subcision in Atrophic Acne Scars: A Split-Face Comparative Study.

Background: Acne has a prevalence of 90% among adolescents. Facial scarring affects 75% of patients. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a novel treatment option for acne scar management and can be used as an adjuvant to acne scar revision procedures.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis Patients and their Correlation with Disease Severity, Duration and Age: A Case Control Study from Western Maharashtra.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease where the skin and the joints are the primary targets. Despite the fact that psoriasis carries minimal risk of mortality, it is associated with significant morbidity which may have a significant impact on quality of life of patients. Globally, psoriasis has been reported to be associated with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes and hypertension.

Laryngeal involvement with fatal outcome in progressive nodular histiocytosis: A rare case report.

Progressive nodular histiocytosis (PNH) represents a very rare type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. It is characterized by progressive appearance of papules and nodules without spontaneous resolution. We report a 60-year-old patient with novel clinical features in the form of extensive noduloulcerative lesions, ichthyotic patches, and laryngeal involvement culminating in fatal outcome prior to therapeutic intervention.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.

A 50-year-old male presented with fever, joint pain and skin lesions since eight months. Examination showed multiple papules and nodules with periarticular predisposition. Swelling of knees and elbows with flexion deformity of distal interphalangeal joints was present.

Modified Welsh regimen: a promising therapy for actinomycetoma.

Background: Mycetoma has a worldwide geographical distribution which is extremely uneven; however, it is a common disease in India and responsible for causing significant morbidity. Treatment of this condition is often a challenge for the treating dermatologist. The authors report a promising therapy for patients of actinomycotic mycetoma.

Circulating cytokine profiles in leprosy patients.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae which is an obligate intracellular pathogen. It is characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical forms dictated by the patient's immune response to the organism. The tuberculoid pole has good cell mediated immunity to M.

Disseminated cutaneous rhinosporidiomas in an immunocompetent male.

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic recurrent infective granulomatous disease of man and animals. It is endemic in India and Sri Lanka. Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic disease commonly involving the nose and nasopharynx.

Treatment of pemphigus with intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide.

Background: The complications associated with the use of systemic corticosteroid therapy have prompted a search for alternative agents. However, these agents are themselves associated with increased risk of myelosuppression or malignancy.

Methods: The present study included twenty patients with recalcitrant pemphigus or steroid induced side effects who were treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy.

Progressive systemic sclerosis in childhood: a report of three cases.

Systemic sclerosis is unusual in childhood. We describe three children who presented with diffuse hidebound skin associated with gastrointestinal and pulmonary abnormalities. Cardiac and renal dysfunctions, which are often encountered in these patients, were notably absent in our cases.

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis: a rare neurocutaneous syndrome.

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis is a congenital hamartomatous disorder with unique ocular, cutaneous and neurological features. A 13-year-old boy presented with history of mental retardation and delayed developmental milestones. Bulbar conjunctiva of left eye showed hypertrophy with a soft reddish limbal nodule encroaching on the cornea.

Nicolau syndrome: a report of 2 cases.

Nicolau syndrome or embolia cutis medicamentosa is a very rare, but well recognized complication of intramuscular injections which clinically presents with extensive necrosis of the injected skin area. Intra-arterial or para-arterial injection after unintentional perforation of certain vessels could be the possible mechanisms. We describe 2 cases of Nicolau syndrome resulting from intramuscular injection of Diclofenac.

A study of serum nitric oxide levels in psoriasis.

Background: M any inter and intracellular mediators have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Nitric oxide has been shown to play an important role in many diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated raised levels of nitric oxide in psoriatic plaques which may be attributed to its effect on keratinocytes, on local cGMP levels or its ability to induce angiogenesis.