Correlation of antimuscarinic acetylcholine receptor antibody titers and antidesmoglein antibody titers with the severity of disease in patients with pemphigus.

Background: Acetylcholine receptor (AchR) antibody levels significantly correlate with disease severity at initial pemphigus diagnosis and during follow-up. However, it is not clear if they are just an epiphenomenon or a potential trigger of the known pathogenic process in pemphigus vulgaris.

Objective: We sought to assess the changes in anti-muscarinic (M3) AchR and anti-desmoglein (Dsg) antibody titers with therapy.

Effect of antiretroviral therapy on mucocutaneous manifestations among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected patients in a tertiary care centre in South India.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection produces a wide range of infectious and noninfectious dermatoses which correlate with the degree of immunodeficiency. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there has been a dramatic decrease in the incidence of HIV-associated dermatoses. However, HAART itself causes various cutaneous adverse drug reactions.

A retrospective audit of skin biopsies done in a tertiary care center in India.

Background: Skin biopsies are an invaluable tool in the diagnostic armamentarium of a dermatologist and have several factors that determine outcome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the quality of data included in the pathology request forms and reports and to assess the level of clinicopathological correlation in the reported biopsy specimens.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 3006 histopathology request forms and reports of skin, mucosal, and nail biopsies to assess the quality of data included in them and assessed the level of clinicopathological correlation in these biopsies.

Spectrum of vaginal discharge in a tertiary care setting.

Introduction: Vaginal discharge is one of the common reasons for gynecological consultation. Many of the causes of vaginitis have a disturbed vaginal microbial ecosystem associated with them. Effective treatment of vaginal discharge requires that the etiologic diagnosis be established and identifying the same offers a precious input to syndromic management and provides an additional strategy for human immunodeficiency virus prevention.

Trichomoniasis: How do we diagnose in a resource poor setting?

Background: Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis vaginalis infection based solely on clinical symptoms and signs is unreliable because the spectrum of infection is broad and other sexually transmitted pathogens cause similar signs and symptoms.

Aims: Our study was undertaken to study the frequency of T. vaginalis infection in women presenting with vaginal discharge, to characterize the clinical features, and to study the sensitivity and specificity of microbiological investigations in the diagnosis of the same.

Spectrum of periorbital dermatoses in South Indian population.

Background: Periorbital dermatoses are very common dermatological disorders which pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the treating dermatologist due to the similarity of symptoms in this area.

Aims: To study the spectrum of periorbital dermatoses and to assess the association of systemic diseases with periorbital dermatoses.

Methods: This was a hospital based descriptive study done on 250 consecutive patients irrespective of their age and sex who attended the Dermatology out patient department (OPD), with dermatological conditions pertaining to the periorbital area over a period of 2 years from October 2010 to September 2012.

Hypopigmentary disorders in children in South India.

Background: Hypopigmentary disorders are common group of dermatoses in pediatric age group.

Aim: To study the frequency and patterns of hypopigmentary disorders in children.

Materials And Methods: This study was a descriptive clinical study spanning over a period of 23 months.

Retrospective analysis of stevens-johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis over a period of 10 years.

Background: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), are the acute emergencies in dermatology practice. Prompt diagnosis and management may reduce the morbidity and mortality in SJS/TEN patients. Early identification of the offending drug is necessary for early withdrawal and to prevent the recurrences of such a devastating illness.

Lichen simplex chronicus of anogenital region: a clinico-etiological study.

Background: Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) of the anogenital region, is a benign, extremely uncomfortable disease.

Aims: As very little is known about the cause of anogenital LSC (AGLSC), we undertook this study to determine various clinico-etiological factors involved in it and to assess the frequency of AGLSC.

Methods: This was a descriptive study, including 105 patients with AGLSC, who attended the Dermatology clinic in our institute from September 2007 to June 2009.

Pattern of non-venereal dermatoses of female external genitalia in South India.

Non-venereal dermatoses tend to be confused with venereal diseases, which may be responsible for mental distress and guilt feelings in patients. We conducted the study to find the pattern of non-venereal dermatoses of female external genitalia and to correlate non-venereal dermatoses with various clinical parameters. The study included 120 female patients with non-venereal dermatoses of female external genitalia presenting over a period of 22 months from September 2005 to June 2007.

Punch grafting versus suction blister epidermal grafting in the treatment of stable lip vitiligo.

Background: Among surgical methods, punch skin grafting (PSG) and suction blister epidermal grafting (SBEG) are simple, inexpensive, and effective treatment methods for resistant lip vitiligo cases, but there is a lack of comparison between these procedures for lip vitiligo.

Objective: The objective was to compare the outcome following PSG and SBEG in stable lip vitiligo.

Methods: Eighteen patients with stable lip vitiligo were randomly selected.

Clinical variations in dermatophytosis in HIV infected patients.

Dermatophyte infections are common in HIV infected patients and can occur at some point during their illness. They may show clinical variations. The present study was to note the prevalence and clinical variations in dermatophytosis in HIV infected patients.

A clinical study of skin changes in pregnancy.

Background: During pregnancy profound immunologic, metabolic, endocrine and vascular changes occur, that are responsible for the changes of the skin and its appendages, both physiologic and pathologic.

Aims: We undertook a clinical study to find out the frequency and pattern of skin changes in pregnant women.

Methods: All consecutive pregnant women were included in the study.

High seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in STD clinic attendees and non-high risk controls: a case control study at a referral hospital in south India.

Background: In Asia, HSV seroprevalence studies are sparse and they have recorded lower prevalence of HSV infection, especially HSV-2.

Aims: To ascertain the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in patients attending a STD clinic in a referral hospital in south India and to compare it with a control group.

Methods: The study included 135 consecutive STD cases having history of ulcerative or non-ulcerative STD in the present or in the past 5 years and 135 age and sex-matched controls.

Clinical profile of molluscum contagiosum in children versus adults.

Molluscum contagiosum mainly affects children, but in adults the advent of HIV has modified its clinical spectrum. Our study is designed to ascertain the clinical profile of molluscum contagiosum in children and adults and to discover the effects of underlying HIV infection. During the study period of September 2000 to June 2002, 150 cases of molluscum contagiosum are screened and recruited at the Department of Dermatology and STD, JIPMER, Pondicherry.

Sexually transmitted diseases and sexual lifestyles of long-distance truck drivers: a clinico-epidemiologic study in south India.

Our study objective was to determine the prevalence and pattern of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to study sexual lifestyles of long-distance truck drivers and their assistants in south India. For this, a total of 263 truck drivers/assistants were recruited from the highway clinic from October 1999 to March 2001. All of them were sexually active and heterosexual contact was the predominant mode (99.

Extragenital donovanosis of the foot.

An extremely rare case of primary extragenital donovanosis affecting the dorsa of right foot is reported. Clinical and histopathological features of the disease are described and the rarity, absence of genital lesions, and consequent difficulty in diagnosis are discussed.

Pebbling of the skin: a marker of Hunter's syndrome.

A 9-year-old boy, the third child of nonconsanguinous parents, presented with asymptomatic, solid, raised skin lesions over the upper back. They first appeared at the age of 4 years. Gradually similar lesions appeared over the chest, neck, arms, and thighs.