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Background: In 2017, WHO recognized scabies as a neglected tropical disease. The optimal treatment is not well defined in some communities. Objective: This study aimed to compare ivermectin and benzyl benzoate in the treatment of scabies in Koranic schools (or "daara") in Dakar (region). Methods: This was a prospective randomized trial conducted from January to October 2018 in Senegal. Any resident living in the selected "daara" and diagnosed with scabies was included. The administered treatments were benzyl benzoate (BB) or ivermectin. At the outset, if one case of scabies was diagnosed, all residents received treatment. Ivermectin was given at the dose of 200 mg/kg. The same treatment was repeated on day 7 for each group, the endpoint was at D14, and the data were analyzed with STATA 14. Results: Fifteen "daara" were included. Of the 959 residents, 70 were diagnosed with scabies: prevalence of 7.29%. All patients except one were male; the mean age was 9.98 years (4-17). At D14, in the BB arm, cure rate was 42.85% (n = 15) while in the ivermectin arm, this rate was 5.71% (n = 2) with a significant difference (p = 0.01). On D28, the cure rate was still higher in the BB group 57.14 (n=20) versus ivermectin 21.42 (n = 6) with a significant difference (p = 0.004). On D42, all patients except eight were cured. At D14, we found a link between the cure rate, the number of people in the room (p = 0.01), and the number of showers per week (p = 0.01) but no link with the number of people per "daara" (p = 0.163). At D28, we found a link between the cure rate, the number of people sleeping in the room (p = 0.03), and the number of showers per week (p = 0.01) but not with the number of people per "daara" (p = 0.07). Conclusion: In Koranic schools, the cure rate is higher with benzyl benzoate compared to ivermectin.

Background: Data on the cutaneous side effects of herbal medicine is scarce, especially with regard to allergy skin testing. Our objective was to determine the relevancy of patch testing in the exploration of the cutaneous side effects of herbal medicine. Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology of the Hospital Institute of Social Hygiene of Dakar over a one-year period. Patch tests were given to patients with cutaneous side effects related to the exclusive use of herbal medicine. The plants recovered were turned into macerates and powders and mixed with Vaseline at concentrations of 5%, 20%, and 30%. Results: Patch tests were given to 31 of the 53 patients included. They were positive in 11 patients (35.48%). Positive patients displayed systemic eczema (n = 7/15 of cases), Stevens--Johnson syndrome (n = 2/3), contact eczema (n = 1/1), and fixed pigmented erythema (n = 1/2). Positive tests were obtained for 11 medicinal plants identified: Jatropha chevalieri (n = 2), Terminalia avicennoïde (n = 2), Detarium microcarpum, Acacia seyal, Acacia albida, Acacia italic, Sesamum indicum, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Nauclea latifolia, and Anogeisius leiocarpus (in one case each). There was no statistically significant relationship between the type of cutaneous side effect and the test result (p = 0.388) and between the nature of the plant used and the test result (p = 0.402). Conclusion: In view of their high rates of positivity, patch tests could prove promising in the exploration of the cutaneous side effects of herbal medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenesis of lichen planus (LP) is mostly autoimmune, while psychological and infectious factors are recognized to trigger or aggravate the disease. An association with diabetes is reported. Our objective was to determine the epidemio‐clinical characteristics of LP and its associated factors. Methods: This multicentric, prospective study was conducted over a 6‐month period. The histopathology was only performed for atypical forms. Patients with a notion of drug intake before the rash were excluded. Anti‐hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies screening was systematical in case of mucosal damage. The data were analyzed using the SPSS IBM 20 software. Results: The average age was 38 years. Women represented 84.6% (n = 66) of the studied population. The patients were married in 61.5%. Obesity or overweight status was noted in 41%. A marital or relational conflict was found in 25.6%. History of LP was reported in 24.4% (n = 19). Pruritus was found in 96.2%. The locations were as follows: skin (97.4%), mucous membranes (15.4%), and hair and nails (5.1%). Lesions were diffuse in 56.4%. The clinical forms were as follows: typical (52.6%), erythematosquamous (17%), warty (14.5%), pigmented (14.5%), and blaschkolinear (one case). Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of LP in 91.4%. Blood sugar level was high in one case. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was positive in 3.03%. Anti‐HIV and anti‐HCV antibodies were negative. Conclusion: Lichen planus is a relatively rare disease in sub‐Saharan Africa and is seen more in adults. The clinical manifestations are polymorphic, but the mucosal damage is rarely isolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liposarcoma is a rare primitive mesenchymal tumor, developed at the expense of adipose tissue and with a preferential location in the thigh. We report an observation of liposarcoma in the buttock. A 56-year-old man, presented with a tumor of the right buttock for 2 years. Examination revealed an inflammatory, ulcerated tumor in the upper-external quadrant of the right buttock, measuring about 8 cm. Bilateral inguinal adenopathies were associated. The diagnostic hypotheses were: a squamous cell carcinoma, a cutaneous lymphoma, and cutaneous metastases. An anatomical examination confirmed the diagnosis of myxoid round-cell liposarcoma. The extension work-up appeared compatible with secondary pleuropulmonary, hepatic, cutaneous, and lymph node neoplastic localizations. The patient was treated with chemotherapy with the Adriamycin-carboplatin protocol. The evolution was rapidly fatal after a few weeks after the first course of chemotherapy. It should be evoked in front of any ulcerated tumor of the buttock., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest., (Copyright: Niare Ndour et al.)