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Byline: Seema. Chhabra, Tarun. Narang, Frainey. Bansal, Smrity. Sahu, Sunil. Dogra Sir, Psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is characterized by immune dysregulation leading to inappropriate activation of proinflammatory cytokines. In plaque-type psoriatic [...]

This article discusses two cases of varicella gangrenosum, a rare and potentially fatal complication of varicella (chickenpox). Varicella is a common childhood disease caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), but it usually has a benign course. However, in rare cases, complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, and myocarditis can occur. Varicella gangrenosum is a dermatological complication characterized by the ulceration and necrosis of skin lesions. The two pediatric cases presented in this article were successfully managed with intravenous acyclovir and antibiotics. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality. [Extracted from the article]

Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP), previously called Mw vaccine, is a one-of-a-kind immunomodulatory vaccine. It was indigenously developed in India for use in leprosy. MIP is heat-killed Mycobacterium w, which is a non-pathogenic atypical mycobacterium belonging to Class IV of Runyon classification. It shares epitopes with Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which forms the rationale behind its use in leprosy and tuberculosis. MIP activates both innate and acquired immunity. It induces a Th1 and Th17 immune response along with downregulation of Th2 pathway and activates macrophages and dendritic cells. MIP vaccine is safe with adverse effects such as local site erythema, swelling, and rarely fever and other systemic reactions. Apart from leprosy, MIP has been used in dermatological diseases such as warts and psoriasis. Clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of MIP in a plenitude of non-dermatological conditions such as category II tuberculosis, Gram-negative sepsis, non-small cell lung cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and very recently, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). In vitro and animal studies have also demonstrated its utility in leishmaniasis, melanoma, and as a vaccine for the prevention of pregnancy. The PubMed database was searched using "Mycobacterium indicus pranii, MIP, Mycobacterium w" as the keyword in title. This comprehensive review provides useful information for healthcare professionals about immunotherapeutic potential of MIP vaccine, its composition, dosing schedule, administration, and side effects besides its efficacy in various indications other than leprosy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigmentary disorders, especially vitiligo and melasma, are cosmetically disfiguring and have a profound impact on life quality. Various quality of life tools and questionnaires have been devised in order to objectively quantify this psychosocial morbidity, which can guide towards more comprehensive patient management. These include generic measures, dermatology-specific measures, and disease-specific measures. The latter are mostly developed for melasma and vitiligo. Most of these tools measure the impact on life quality across various psychosocial domains, particularly feelings of embarrassment about appearances and societal stigma. The present review consolidates the available literature on quality of life scales used in pigmentary disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Rahul. Mahajan, Sunil. Dogra, Sanjeev. Handa, T. Razmi, Tarun. Narang, Sahaj. Rathi, Radha. Dhiman, Biman. Saikia, Adil. Karim Background: Many international guidelines on psoriasis management have emphasized upon the [...]

Byline: Seema. Manjunath, Rajsmita. Bhattacharjee, T. Razmi, Tarun. Narang, Keshavamurthy. Vinay Introduction: Submission and publishing of research articles in scientific journals is a multistep process that should be efficient and [...]

Byline: Rajsmita. Bhattacharjee, Debajyoti. Chatterjee, Tarun. Narang A 60-year-old male presented to the dermatology outpatient department of the Postgraduate Medical Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh with multiple, crusted, [...]

Byline: T. Razmi, Tarun. Narang, Debajyoti. Chatterjee, Sunil. Dogra, Uma. Saikia An adolescent presented with asymptomatic loose outpouching of the skin, without any antecedent lesions. These well-defined atrophic plaques were [...]

This article discusses a case of a 34-year-old woman with lepromatous leprosy and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes who developed rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, a fungal infection. The patient had been treated with steroids for necrotic erythema nodosum leprosum, a complication of leprosy, and subsequently developed mucormycosis. The article highlights the increased susceptibility to mucormycosis in patients with chronic leprosy reactions and diabetes who undergo prolonged corticosteroid therapy. It also emphasizes the need for novel immunomodulatory agents to manage these cases and mitigate the risk of complications. [Extracted from the article]

Background Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immunologically mediated phenomenon complicating the course of leprosy. Reverse Koebner phenomenon is the term used to describe the sparing of previously injured or diseased skin by new skin lesions of the disease. Methods A middle-aged woman with a known case of lepromatous leprosy for the past year presented with an eruption of reddish painful nodules over her body. The lesions were found to characteristically spare the sites of previous scars. Results This sparing phenomenon of previous scar sites has been termed reverse Koebner phenomenon, a site of the body that offers greater resistance than the rest of the body to the onset of the disease, seen in various diseases, but it has never been described in ENL. Conclusion This sparing of scar sites in ENL can be attributed to reverse Koebner phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the psychological morbidity, depression, anxiety disorder, level of stress, and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) among patients with acne and also to examine the relationship of BDD with the psychological morbidity, stress, and severity of acne. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifteen adult patients with acne were evaluated on the Perceived Stress Scale, Physical Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, and BDD Questionnaire-Dermatology Version. Results: Approximately one-fourth of the patients with acne in the study group had depression (27.8%) and anxiety disorder (23.5%). Less than half (44.3%) of the patients with acne had preoccupation with their appearance/body parts and one-fourth (27.0%) fulfilled the criteria for BDD. Facial flaws were reported as the most concern. A significant number of patients avoided social and occupational functioning resulting in social isolation, interference in their work/job, interpersonal problems, etc. Those with BDD had a higher prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depressive disorder. Conclusion: About one-fourth of the patients with acne have BDD, which is associated with stress, anxiety, and depressive disorder. Accordingly, there is a need to regularly evaluate patients of acne for psychological issues. The dermatologist and psychiatrist should work in close liaison to provide the holistic care to patients with acne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Men with early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) often have an abnormal hormonal milieu. Objective: To ascertain the clinico-phenotypic characteristics and the prevalence of hormonal and metabolic changes in men with early-onset AGA. Methods: Consecutive male patients less than 30 years of age with a Norwood-Hamilton grade ≥3 AGA were recruited in this comparative cross-sectional study. After endocrine evaluation they were classified into two groups, that is, Group A consisting of subjects with an altered hormonal profile and Group B with normal hormonal profiles. The groups were assessed for differences in disease phenotype and severity (Norwood-Hamilton grade), insulin resistance and parameters of metabolic syndrome (ATP III guidelines). Results: Altered hormonal profiles were seen in 34 of the 100 subjects with AGA, while insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome were noted in 44 and 26 respectively. Altered hormonal profiles were significantly associated with insulin resistance and severe alopecia (grade 4 and above Hamilton-Norwood Scale). Insulin resistant Group A patients had a significantly higher prevalence of severe alopecia (>grade 4) (P = 0.0036). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was similar in both groups. Limitation: The cross sectional study design was a drawback of this study. Further, a control arm without AGA was not included and the sample size of 100 was selected arbitrarily. Conclusion: An altered hormonal profile and insulin resistance was noted in a third of the males with early-onset AGA. Subjects with altered hormonal profiles had a higher prevalence of insulin resistance and were likely to have severe grades of AGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]