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A study of the prevalence of tinea capitis at a residential school for physically handicapped children in Harare, Zimbabwe is reported. In the 7-12 year old age group the prevalence of mycologically proven fungus infection was 39%. It is suggested that this can be explained by their hygiene. Two species of dermatophyte were isolated: Trichophyton violaceum from 88% and Microsporum audouimi from 38% of cases which were positive following culture. Twenty-six per cent of these cases were mixed infections. There was a slightly higher rate of infection amongst boys. The effectiveness of the clinical and mycological examination was assessed. Affect5ed children were treated with a 6-weed course of either Whitefield's ointment or miconazole cream. Results are presented to show that neither treatment is fully effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a report on woolly hair naevi with systematized linear epidermal naevus. Woolly hair naevus is a rare abnormality of scalp hair which is frequently found in association with a linear epidermal naevus. In this article, a case where woolly hair naevi has been discussed which is associated with a systemized linear epidermal naevus, a previously undescribed combination. Under the light microscope, no morphological difference between the woolly hair and normal hair is evident. Scanning electron micrographs of normal and abnormal hair are identical.

A single blind comparison of 0.1%, dithranol in a 17% urea cream base (Psoradrate®) with a coal tar and salicyclic acid pomade in the treatment of scalp psoriasis is described. Both treatments were equally effective, though Psoradrate caused significantly more side-effects. We concluded that Psoradrate is effective in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basal cell epithelioma with eccrine differentiation is a turnout that has previously been characterized as a rare turnout in which the histological and histochemical differentiation towards eccrine epithelium has been taken to indicate a more aggressive clinical course. We present a further ease of this tumour with studies of its pattern of keratin expression using a battery of antikeratin monoclonal antibodies and conclude that the presence of simple epithelial markers within the turnout confirm the differentiation towards eccrine epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about a 48-year-old female with Wilson's disease who has developed progressive and increasingly disfiguring skin wrinkling over a 4-year period while on penicillamine treatment.

Presents a letter to the editor about strategies for improving the risk-benefit ratio of cyclosporin.