The role of DNA polymerase chain reaction, culture and histopathology in the diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis.

Background: Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is re-emerging as a significant problem in India due to increased incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), other immunosuppressive states/factors like drugs, and emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR-TB). Proper diagnosis is warranted as there is varied clinical presentation and similarity with many other diseases.

Objective: To assess the sensitivities of DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture, and histopathology for the diagnosis of cutaneous TB in clinically suspected skin lesions.

Ulcerative Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis in a Hypothyroid Woman: A Case Report.

Background: Skin ulcers, especially of the lower extremities, encompass a myriad of causes that a clinician must analyze. Case Re- port. A 45-year-old hypothyroid woman presented with a 6-year history of recurrent widespread eruptions of rashes and ulcers on her skin.

A randomized comparative trial of two low-dose oral isotretinoin regimens in moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Background: Oral isotretinoin is highly effective in all forms and grades of acne, even in lower dosages (<0.5 mg/kg/day). There is a paucity of comparative data on the various low-dose regimens of oral isotretinoin in the Indian literature.

A Sporadic Case of Ichthyosis Curth Macklin: Rare Presentation of a Rare Disease.

Ichthyosis hystrix is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis, characterized by persistent spiny hyperkeratotic scales which cover a significant part of the skin surface. Based on the pattern of distribution, five clinical variants namely Brocq type, Lambert type, Curth-Macklin type, Rheydt type and Bδfverstedt type have been described. We report the case of an 11-year-old male child with spiny, hyperkeratotic scales all over the body since birth with sparing of scalp and central part of the face.

Hand eczema.

Hand eczema is often a chronic, multifactorial disease. It is usually related to occupational or routine household activities. Exact etiology of the disease is difficult to determine.

Oral isotretinoin in different dose regimens for acne vulgaris: a randomized comparative trial.

Background: Oral isotretinoin is recommended for severe nodulocystic acne in the doses of 1-2 mg/kg/day which is usually associated with higher incidence of adverse effects. To reduce the incidence of side-effects and to make it more cost-effective, the lower dose regimen of isotretinoin has been used.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of oral isotretinoin in daily, alternate, pulse and low-dose regimens in acne of all types and also to assess whether it can be used for mild and moderate acne also.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Progeria is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature aging, involving the skin, bones, heart, and blood vessels. We report a 4-year-old boy who presented with clinical manifestations of progeria. He had characteristic facies, prominent eyes, scalp and leg veins, senile look, loss of scalp hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, stunted growth, and sclerodermatous changes.

Satellite repigmentation after punch grafting.

Punch grafting is an established treatment modality for management of localized, nonprogressive vitiligo resistant to conventional therapies.(1) In our set up, punch grafting is routinely carried out in focal vitiligo, segmental vitiligo and even in few cases of generalized vitiligo, especially when it is a serious cosmetic problem.(2) However, the procedure is adopted only when the disease is stable for a sufficient period.