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Majocchi's granuloma (MG) is a rare, well-recognized, deep skin infection caused by dermatophyte, which can be seen in immunosuppressed as well as immunocompetent individuals. It is primarily caused by dermatophytes, most commonly Trichophyton rubrum; however, occasionally other Trichophyton sp., Trichosporon sp., Aspergillus sp., and Phoma sp. are involved. Diagnosis is based on clinical, mycological, and histological characteristics. This review focuses on clinical characteristics of MG and diagnosis and therapeutic options of MG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majocchi's granuloma (MG) is a rare deep skin dermatophyte infection that can occur either in immunocompetent or in immunocompromised individuals. Oral itraconazole or terbinafine is considered to be the first choice of treatment. We report an immunocompetent man with deep nodular form of MG, the form which is generally found in immunosuppressed individuals. Previous treatment with either oral itraconazole or terbinafine yielded no apparent improvement. After a series of examination, the man was diagnosed as having Trichophyton rubrum-induced MG mixed with bacterial infection as evidenced by growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae in tissue bacterial culture. The patient was treated with a combination of cefoselis and levofloxacin for bacterial clearance followed by voriconazole treatment. After approximately 4 months of voriconazole treatment, the lesions completely resolved. Alternative medicine (voriconazole) can be considered in case of refractory infections during MG treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exogenous ochronosis (EO) can be an unintended psychologically troubling condition for patients who are already being treated for longer-term hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma. Early diagnosis is key in order that the offending agent can be stopped to prevent further disfiguring discoloration. EO can be diagnosed in the right clinical setting with the aid of dermatoscopy, which can assist in early diagnosis and may negate the need for a biopsy. Laser modalities using Q-switched lasers of longer wavelengths and combination laser dermabrasion treatments have shown the most significant results with minimal adverse events. However, further large-scale studies are needed to determine optimal treatment modalities. Although considered uncommon, the incidence of EO will likely continue to increase with the growth of immigrant populations and the use of skin-lightening agents above the FDA's recommended over-the-counter concentrations, without the guidance of a dermatologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Confluent and reticulate papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud (CRP) is a rare dermatological condition, which has not been reported widely in Asian populations. Aim: To characterize the clinicopathological and diagnostic features of CRP in a South-East Asian population. Methods: The medical records of 29 patients accorded the diagnosis of CRP at the National Skin Centre, Singapore, from 1990 to 2011, were analyzed. Results: The male to female ratio was 2.6:1. Eight patients were Indians. The mean age at the onset of skin eruptions was 29.1 years (range 16-55 years), while the mean duration was 19.9 months (range 0.5-120 months). CRP itself was the most common preliminary diagnosis. Fungal smears were negative in all 22 instances. All 29 patients had received a trial of antifungal therapy before being seen at our center. Antifungal therapy was repeated in three subjects, and the response was uniformly poor. Conversely, the treatment response with tetracyclines was excellent, yielding more than a 50 % response in all 14 patients. Four patients suffered recurrence of CRP. According to the diagnostic criteria set forth by Davis et al., 25/29 patients (86.2 %) and 19/29 patients (65.6 %) fulfilled at least three and four criteria, respectively. Conclusion: A predilection for male gender and Indian ethnicity were noted in our study. The diagnosis of CRP was often made clinically, and investigations were mainly ancillary. The treatment response was poor with antifungal agents but excellent with tetracyclines. The diagnostic criteria proposed by Davis et al. were found to be useful in our cohort of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine the concentration of trace elements in serum samples of women who are chronic users of skin-whitening agents as well as the hepatic and renal effects of these agents on these women. The study was conducted among 23 skin-whitening users while 25 women served as the controls. The serum concentrations of Zn, Mn, and Mg were not significantly changed in these women compared with controls ( p > 0.05), but Cu was significantly increased in skin-whitening agent users compared with controls ( p < 0.05). Serum urea and creatinine were significantly increased compared with the controls ( p < 0.05). Moreover, ALT, AST, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin were not significantly changed ( p > 0.05). The significant increase in the levels of renal indices shows that these agents might be nephrotoxic after prolonged usage while increase in copper level with accompanying renal dysfunction may be an indication that copper mediates in oxidative-induced renal dysfunction. However, further study is needed to identify the cause and source of high serum copper as many of the herbal extracts may be rich sources of copper. Moreover, a large population study may be necessary to examine the exact correlation between copper and renal indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Let ɡ be an untwisted affine Kac–Moody algebra and MJ(?) a Verma-type module for ɡ with J-highest weight λ∈P. We construct quantum Verma-type modules MJq(λ) over the quantum group Uｑ(ɡ), investigate their properties and show that MJq(λ) is a true quantum deformation of MJ(λ) in the sense that the weight structure is preserved under the deformation. We also analyze the submodule structure of quantum Verma-type modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Post-transplant infections present a formidable challenge to the physician due to their varied presentation. Many of these infections begin by inoculation following skin compromise or disseminate to the skin hematogenously, making cutaneous manifestations of infection an important diagnostic clue in the immunocompromised. Quality research in this field is lacking, and this articles seeks to review the literature and present a guide to physicians in order for them to suspect certain infections by their cutaneous presentation.Recent Findings: The cutaneous presentation of opportunistic infections in transplant patients is extremely varied. However, as more case reports are published, certain patterns specific to individual organisms are emerging. In addition, early recognition is improving outcomes and systemic antibiotic therapy success.Summary: Early and correct recognition of disseminated infection in the immunocompromised host can be aided by close attention to cutaneous findings. This allows early and correct antibiotic therapy and improves outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the authors' views on the risk of illegal cosmetics on human health in European Union (EU) countries. It mentions that the products are used for bleaching pigmentation spots and lightening skin tone which have forbidden pharmaceutical agents including corticosteroids, hydroquinone and tretinoin. It also notes their lack of medical supervision.