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Background: Nocardiosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening infection caused by several species of the Nocardia genus. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a rapid and new method to clinically identify relevant Nocardia species. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of Nocardia species is essential for the treatment of severe infections and prevention of cerebral abscess. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients, 103 (57.22%) male and 77 (42.78%) female, with severe symptomatic pulmonary infection were studied in the course of a 12-month period in Dr. Shariati Teaching Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. The specimens were cultured and identified using microbiological and biochemical tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to directly identify the organism in the broncoalveolar lavage samples collected from the patients. NG1 and NG2 primers were used to amplify a Nocardia genus-specific 598-bp fragment of 16S rRNA.Results: Nineteen samples (10.56%) were positive with PCR and 5 samples (2.78%) with conventional methods. All samples with positive cultures were also positive by PCR.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that PCR has a high sensitivity and accuracy for the detection of Nocardia compared with culture and biochemical tests. Considering the rapidity, precision, high sensitivity and specificity of molecular techniques, use of these techniques is suggested in conjunction with conventional methods for the detection of Nocardia phenotypes in clinical laboratories and research centers.

Background: Genital warts, besides their importance as symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, can also threaten the sexual health of couples. The purpose of this study was to explore the sexual compatibility in women with active genital warts., Methods: A qualitative study with a conventional content analysis approach in Tehran, Iran, from January 2019 to February 2020 was conducted on a purposeful sample of data saturation achieved after interviewing 14 women with genital warts, 2 couples and 3 dermatologists, 1 sexologist and 1 infectious disease specialist. Data were collected through unstructured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis approach., Results: After data analysis 224 initial codes, 5 main categories "change in the frequency of sexual activity", "changing types of sexual intercourse", "protected sexual intercourse", "concealment of lesions", "focusing on personal hygiene by couples after sexual activity" and finally a central theme of "adaptation to challenges of sexual intercourse" were extracted., Conclusions: This study revealed the perceptions and experiences of women with active genital warts about the process of their sexual adaptation. The main concepts found in this study focus on challenges related to sexual intercourse. It seems that recognizing women's sexual adaptation challenges after getting genital warts may help them take effective and practical measures to improve their sexual compatibility and health., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases are a major health problem in all countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common viral sexually transmitted disease in both genders. High-risk sexual behaviors (HRSBs) are among the major risk factors for HPV infection. Lack of knowledge can contribute to HRSBs and hence, education can potentially reduce HRSB risk. This is a study using theory of reasoned action to reduce the high-risk sexual behaviors among patients with HPV., Materials and Methods: This study was a two-grouped, randomized, controlled trial. The educational program was developed based on the results of a survey into the most important components of the theory of reasoned action contributing to HRSBs among 100 patients recruited from Razi hospital, Tehran, Iran. Then, 110 patients from the same hospital were consecutively recruited and randomly allocated to a control ( n = 55) and an intervention ( n = 55) group. Then, each participant in the intervention group was provided with the developed educational program. Their counterparts in the control group solely received routine care services. Three months after the first educational session, HRSBs were reassessed in both groups. Data were analyzed via the SPSS software (v. 21.0)., Results: After the intervention, the mean score of HRSBs significantly decreased in the intervention group ( P < 0.001) but did not significantly change in the control group ( P = 0.70). The post-test mean score of HRSBs in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group ( P = 0.015)., Conclusion: Education based on the theory of reasoned action is effective in significantly reducing HRSBs. Nurses can develop and use educational interventions based on this theory to reduce HRSBs and HPV infection., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)

Introduction: Psoriasis and its treatments may predispose patients to various infections. This is considered one of the most significant complications in patients with psoriasis., Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of infection in hospitalized psoriasis patients and its relationship with systemic and biologic treatments., Methods: All hospitalized patients with psoriasis from 2018 to 2020 in Razi Hospital in Tehran, Iran, were studied and cases of infection were recorded., Results: Overall, 516 patients were studied and 25 types of infection in 111 patients were found. The most common types of infection were pharyngitis and cellulitis, followed by oral candida, urinary tract infections, common cold, fever of unknown origin, and pneumonia. Female sex and pustular psoriasis were significantly associated with infection in psoriatic patients. Those patients who received prednisolone had a higher risk of infection, and those under treatment with methotrexate or infliximab had a lower risk of infection., Conclusion: Overall, 21.5% of psoriasis patients in our study had at least one episode of infection. This demonstrates that the prevalence of infection in these patients is not low. Using systemic steroids was associated with a higher risk of infection, while using methotrexate or infliximab was concomitant with a lower risk of infection.

Nocardial brain abscess is usually associated with immunodeficiency, but can sometimes emerge in healthy individuals. This infection can be acquired through inhalation or direct inoculation of the bacteria, followed by dissemination to various organs, including the brain, through blood circulation. Mortality rate due to nocardial cerebral abscess is three times higher than that associated with cerebral abscess caused by other types of bacteria. Moreover, patients with Nocardia asteroides -associated brain abscess show poorer prognosis compared to patients with brain abscess caused by other Nocardia species, which is probably due to the high tendency of N. asteroides to become resistant to numerous antibiotics. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to diagnose and treat N. asteroides cerebral abscess in patients as soon as possible. The current paper is a rare report of a brain abscess caused by N. asteroides in a diabetic patient who failed to respond to multiple antibiotics (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and amikacin), but improved by receiving imipenem and linezolid, and was finally successfully treated by surgical operation and long-term antibiotic therapy (imipenem and linezolid)., (Copyright ©2022, Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine.)

Although the treatments of pemphigus and pemphigoid patients have tended toward safer options, patients with chronic infections seem to be still at the risk of infection reactivation when they are exposed to any of immunosuppressive treatments. A retrospective study on 1646 registered pemphigus and pemphigoid patients was conducted between January 2017 and February 2019 and the prevalence of HBV, the association between the treatments, mainly prednisolone and rituximab with HBV reactivation as well as outcomes of patients after management with antiviral therapies were evaluated. From 1646 reviewed patients, 10 (0.60%) patients with chronic HBV were identified. We found a negative correlation between the ALT (p-value<0.001), AST (p-value = 0.090), and Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) (p-value = 0.034) and age of patients. At the time points that prednisolone dosage was higher, higher levels of ALT, but no difference in AST levels was noted. The portion of patients with normal ALT was significantly higher (p-value = 0.036; OR = 2.22) in those who had received rituximab within the previous 6 months (38 of 49; 77.6%) as compared to those who did not (81 of 133; 60.9%). We concluded that avoidance (high dose) systemic corticosteroids in patients with chronic HBV, and using rituximab instead in severe cases benefit this group of patients., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns regarding the outcome of this infection in patients with autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBDs) due to effect of drugs used to treat these disorders. This investigation was performed from the onset of the pandemic to June 1, 2021. Patients with AIBDs who contracted COVID-19 were evaluated. A generalized linear model was employed to find the predictors of severe COVID-19 among patients with AIBDs. Ninety-three patients with AIBDs with a mean age of 50.3 years were evaluated. The most COVID-19 related symptoms were tiredness (76.3%) myalgia (69%), and cough (63.4%). During follow-up, the rate of hospitalization and death were 45.2% and 4.3%, respectively. Previous comorbidities (β = 0.61) and mean prednisolone dosage above 10 mg/day in the last 3 months (β = 1.10) significantly increased COVID-19 severity. Also, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (β = -1.50) and each passing month from the last rituximab dose decreased severity (β = -0.02). Notably, 19.3% of the patients developed AIBD flare-ups following COVID-19 infection. Higher prednisone dose and the shorter interval from the last rituximab infusion were determinants of severe COVID-19. Physicians should assess the risk versus the benefits when prescribing the medications. Moreover, vaccination could successfully attenuate COVID-19 severity., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the global pandemic that has spread throughout the world, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Given the limited scientific evidence on the manifestations and potential impact of this virus on pregnancy, we decided to report this case., Case Presentation: The patient was a 38 year-old Iranian woman with a triplet pregnancy and a history of primary infertility, as well as hypothyroidism and gestational diabetes. She was hospitalized at 29 weeks and 2 days gestational age due to elevated liver enzymes, and finally, based on a probable diagnosis of gestational cholestasis, she was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. On the first day of hospitalization, sonography was performed, which showed that biophysical scores and amniotic fluid were normal in all three fetuses, with normal Doppler findings in two fetuses and increased umbilical artery resistance (pulsatility index [PI] > 95%) in one fetus. On day 4 of hospitalization, she developed fever, cough and myalgia, and her COVID-19 test was positive. Despite mild maternal symptoms, exacerbated placental insufficiency occurred in two of the fetuses leading to the rapid development of absent umbilical artery end-diastolic flow. Finally, 6 days later, the patient underwent cesarean section due to rapid exacerbation of placental insufficiency and declining biophysical score in two of the fetuses. Nasopharyngeal swab COVID-19 tests were negative for the first and third babies and positive for the second baby. The first and third babies died 3 and 13 days after birth, respectively, due to collapsed white lung and sepsis. The second baby was discharged in good general condition. The mother was discharged 3 days after cesarean section. She had no fever at the time of discharge and was also in good general condition., Conclusions: This was a complicated triplet pregnancy, in which, after maternal infection with COVID-19, despite mild maternal symptoms, exacerbated placental insufficiency occurred in two of the fetuses, and the third fetus had a positive COVID-19 test after birth. Therefore, in cases of pregnancy with COVID-19 infection, in addition to managing the mother, it seems that physicians would be wise to also give special attention to the possibility of acute placental insufficiency and subsequent fetal hypoxia, and also the probability of vertical transmission.

Objective: Nocardiosis is an opportunistic infection in individuals who had organ transplants and in patients with immunosuppressive diseases such as pemphigus Vulgaris (PV), diabetes mellitus, and HIV. Nocardiosis rate has not been assessed in Iranian PV patients, and this was the first study to estimate nocardiosis rate in these patients., Methods: In this study, 103 patients with PV were examined. BAL samples were obtained and direct smear was prepared and visualized by microscopy after PAS staining. Samples were cultured on antibiotic-containing blood and chocolate agar media. DNA extraction and PCR were performed on positive cultures, and final identification was done by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Drug susceptibility testing was done by microbroth dilution method., Results: Four positive cultures (3.88%) were found in the samples (n = 103). According to sequence analysis, 2 isolates were identified as Nocardia cyriacigeorgica and 2 as Nocardia otitidiscaviarum and Nocardia cerradoensis. Nocardia cerradoensis was isolated from an invasive brain infection. Isolated bacteria were susceptible to majority of the tested antibiotics, except for 2 strains of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica and Nocardia cerradoensis. This was the first isolation of Nocardia cerradoensis of human infection in Asia. Patients with PV are susceptible to nocardiosis, similar to other immunocompromised patients., Conclusion: Pemphigus Vulgaris is a severe autoimmune disease which is treated by a high dosage of corticosteroids. Opportunistic infections are one of the greatest challenges of these patients. One of the neglected agents of opportunistic infection in this disorder is Nocardiosis which can cause a high mortality rate in PV patients., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Despite the large number of pregnant women with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is not enough analytical study to compare maternal and fetal consequences of COVID-19 infected with non-infected pregnancies. This cohort study aimed to compare maternal and fetal consequences of COVID-19 infected with non-infected pregnancies., Methods: We included pregnant women with and without COVID-19 who were admitted to Arash Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 1 March to 1 September 2020. Clinical features, treatments, and maternal and fetal outcomes were assessed., Results: A total of 199 women enrolled, including 66 COVID-19 infected and 133 non-infected pregnant women prospectively. Caesarean section was carried out in total 105 women (52.76%). A significant difference was found in term of delivery type between COVID-19 infected and non-infected pregnant women [adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.65, P = 0.024]. No significant association was found between COVID-19 infection and preterm birth (aRR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.54, 2.48, P = 0.689), low birth weight (aRR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.55, 2.31, P = 0.723), gestational diabetes (aRR: 1.67, 95% CI: 0.81, 3.42, P = 0.160), pre-eclampsia (aRR: 2.02, 95% CI: 0.42, 6.78, P = 0.315), intrauterine growth restriction (aRR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.02, 1.86, P = 0.145), preterm rupture of membrane (aRR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.02, 2.20, P = 0.186), stillbirth (aRR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.08, 18.37, P = 0.614), postpartum haemorrhage (aRR: 1.84, 95% CI: 0.39, 8.63, P = 0.185), neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aRR: 1.84, 95% CI: 0.77, 4.39, P = 0.168) and neonatal sepsis (aRR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.48, 1.48, P = 0.568). The percentage of patients (4/66, 6.06%) being admitted to the ICU was significantly higher than the control group (0%) (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Basically, although pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were not significantly different, the need for ICU care for pregnant women with COVID-19 was significantly higher compared with those without COVID-19., (© International Society of Travel Medicine 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

This is a report of a case with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) with severe eye involvement and concurrent COVID-19 treated successfully using simultaneous high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and anti-viral treatment as hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and ribavirin. He had finished a 2-g cycle of rituximab (RTX) in late January. He was receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for one month and 30 mg prednisolone for three months until his hospitalization. Prednisolone was tapered to 15 mg when current COVID-19 was suspected, considering his recent cough, dyspnea, and fever.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and/or mucosa. Rituximab (RTX) has been approved recently by US FDA as an effective and safe treatment of PV. The high incidence of PV in Iran encouraged our team to prepare a consensus guideline for RTX administration based on literature review and a decade experience of an expert panel. RTX is recommended for the treatment of new cases of PV as well as patients not responding to conventional therapy. Contraindications include history of anaphylaxis or IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to murine proteins of RTX, severe active infections, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe heart failure, and arrhythmia. Prophylactic antiviral therapy is recommended in patients at risk of reactivation of HBV and isoniazid for those at risk of reactivation of tuberculosis. Concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids is recommended as a rule. Except for methotrexate, the combination with other immunosuppressive drugs is discouraged. Intravenous immunoglobulin is recommended for those at risk of infections or with extensive disease. The recommended dosage of RTX for the first cycle is 2 g either 500 mg weekly or 1 g biweekly. There is no general consensus whether the next doses of RTX be administered upon relapse or as maintenance therapy. We strongly recommend RTX sooner in the course of pemphigus., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Hypothesis: In this manuscript we examine the stability of an evaporating-unbounded axisymmetric liquid bridge confined between parallel-planar similar or chemically different substrates using both theory and experiments. With a quasistatic assumption we use hydrostatics to estimate the minimum stable volume V min via the Young-Laplace equation for Bond numbers 0⩽Bo⩽1, and top/bottom wall contact angles 5°<θ<175° although the primary focus is on wetting and partial wetting fluids. Solving the Young-Laplace equation requires knowledge of appropriate capillary pressure values, which appear as a constant, and may not provide unique solution. To examine uniqueness of numerical solutions and volume minima determined from the Young-Laplace equation for unbounded-axisymmetric liquid bridges we analyzed capillary pressure for large and small liquid volume-asymptotic limits at zero Bond number., Experiments: Experiments were performed to compare with the volume minima calculations for Bond numbers 0.04⩽Bo⩽0.65. Three substrates of varying surface energy were used, with purified water as the primary liquid. Volume estimates and contact angle data were extracted via image analysis and evaporation rates measured from this data are reported., Findings: Volume minima were in the range 0.1min <20 μl depending on Bond number. There was good agreement when comparing predicted volume minima and those determined from experiments for the range of parameters studied., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Immunosuppressive drugs are the milestone of treatment of autoimmune diseases, but they can lead to serious complications, including hepatitis B virus reactivation in HBV carriers as well as in patients with occult HBV infection (OBI). A 36-year-old man with OBI was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris. He was prescribed prednisolone and his hepatitis B surface antigen turned positive. Viral replication was successfully controlled by lamivudine and adefovir. Mycophenolate mofetil and intravenous immunoglobulin  were not effective in controlling the pemphigus vulgaris. The patient received rituximab 500 mg weekly for four weeks and went into remission without any adverse effect. He safely received another course of rituximab after a relapse one year later. In conclusion, testing for hepatitis B core antibody should be considered mandatory, in addition to HBsAg, for the screening of pemphigus patients to detect rare cases of OBI before starting therapy. Furthermore, rituximab may in some cases be safely used in HBV carriers using antivirals concomitantly.

Pemphigus vulgaris are autoimmune blistering diseases that may result in significant morbidity and death. Immunosuppressive therapy of pemphigus vulgaris would predispose the patients to infections. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of S. aureus infection and PVL gene in patients with pemphigus admitted to dermatology clinic. Materials and Methods . This descriptive study was conducted on 196 pemphigus vulgaris patients (119 males, 77 females) admitted to dermatology clinic between 2014 and 2015. In this study, the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was made by histology, immunofluorescence pattern of perilesional skin, and indirect immunofluorescence testing of serum. Data were collected through a questionnaire. Results . 59.1% of pemphigus vulgaris patients had S. aureus infection. 49 out of 116 were methicillin-resistant. PVL gene was detected in 25 out of 116 S. aureus positive patients. Conclusion . This is the first report of S. aureus infection in pemphigus patients in Iran. More than forty percent of isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus . PVL gene carried by methicillin-resistant S. aureus was high in this study.

Background: The genus Nocardia is a cause of infection in the lungs, skin, brain, cerebrospinal fluid, eyes, joints and kidneys. Nocardia isolation from polymicrobial specimens is difficult due to its slow growth. Several methods have been reported for Nocardia isolation from clinical samples. In the current study, we used three methods: paraffin baiting technique, paraffin agar, and conventional media for Nocardia isolation from various clinical specimens from Iranian patients., Methods: In this study, we examined 517 samples from various clinical specimens such as: sputum of patients with suspected tuberculosis, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis, tracheal aspirate, cutaneous and subcutaneous abscesses, cerebrospinal fluid, dental abscess, mycetoma, wound, bone marrow biopsy, and gastric lavage. All collected specimens were cultured on carbon-free broth tubes (paraffin baiting technique), paraffin agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar with cycloheximide and were incubated at 35°C for one month., Results: Seven Nocardia spp. were isolated with paraffin baiting technique, compared with 5 positive results with the paraffin agar technique and 3 positive results with Sabouraud dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide. The prevalence of nocardial infections in our specimens was 5.28%., Conclusion: In the present study, the use of the paraffin baiting technique appeared to be more effective than other methods for Nocardia isolation from various clinical specimens.

Herein, a 12-year-old Afghan boy with chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis on the face and verrucous lesions on the body and pleural effusion suspected of having co-existent tuberculosis has been presented. The cutaneous lesions were appeared for five years before his admission. Leishman-Donovan bodies were seen in H&E (Hematoxylin and eosin) slide of skin lesion specimens. The pathogenic species was proved to be Leishmania tropica using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) and Leishmanin Skin Test (LST) were strongly positive. The patient was treated with systemic and intralesional meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) for cutaneous leishmaniasis and then with anti-tuberculosis drugs for pleural effusion. Afterwards, pleural effusion was disappeared and cutaneous leishmaniasis cured.

Background and Objective: Genital wart is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Sexual risk factors and sexual behavior pattern may be different in various countries. In this study, we tried to evaluate demographic information and some sexual behaviors and risk factors in Iranian patients with genital warts., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 250 patients with anogenital warts were evaluated. They had been referred to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic of Razi Hospital. Demographic information and sexual risk factors and pattern of sexual behaviors were recorded in the questionnaires., Results: One hundred twenty-five men and 125 women with genital warts were evaluated. The most common age group was 20- 30 years old; 24.8% were single; 29.6% had academic education; 35 (14%) of the patients had started sexual activity before 15 years of age; 92% reported unsafe sex;  seven (2.8%) of them were HIV infected; two cases (0.8%) were homosexual; and seven cases (2.8%) were bisexual. Genital herpes simplex type 2 was the most common coincident sexually transmitted disease (6.4%)., Conclusion: Genital wart in men may be as common as women, married and singles, and mostly involves younger people. Sexual high-risk behaviors and unsafe sex make them at risk for HIV infection. Sexual health education should be considered in high-risk groups.

We tried to evaluate prevalence and characteristics of Iranian HIV infected patients with retinitis due to opportunistic infections. In this cross sectional study, we evaluated 106 HIV infected patients via indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp examination by 90 lens to find retinitis cases. General information and results of ophthalmologic examination were analyzed. Prevalence of retinitis due to opportunistic infections was 6.6%: cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis 1.88%, toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis 1.88% and tuberculosis chorioretinitis 2.83%. CD4 count was higher than 50 cell/µlit in both cases with CMV retinitis. Along with increasing survival in the HIV infected patients, the prevalence of complications such as ocular manifestation due to opportunistic infections are increasing and must be more considered.

Background. Autoimmune process and immunosuppressive therapy of pemphigus vulgaris would predispose the patients to infections. Aim. We aimed to study the prevalence of infection and pathogenic agents in pemphigus vulgaris patients admitted to dermatology service. Material and methods. This retrospective study was conducted on 155 pemphigus vulgaris patients (68 males, 87 females) admitted to dermatology service between 2009 and 2011. In this study, the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed by light microscopic and direct immunofluorescence findings. Data were collected through a questionnaire. Results. Of 155 pemphigus vulgaris patients, 33 had infection at admission and 9 acquired nosocomial infection. In addition, 37 cases of oral candidiasis and 15 cases of localized herpes simplex were recorded. Totally, 94 cases of infection were recorded. The occurrence of infection was significantly related to the severity of disease, number of hospital admissions, and presence of diabetes mellitus. The most common pathogenic germs isolated from cultures were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conclusion. Severity of pemphigus vulgaris and diabetes were directly related with tendency to infections. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most common pathogenic agents. Due to limitations of retrospective study, a prospective study is recommended.

Bullous pemphigoid is an immunobullous disease with high mortality and morbidity. Different aspects and characteristics in the patients vary in different areas in the world. Our objective was to study clinical and demographic characteristics of bullous pemphigoid in Iranian patients. In a retrospective descriptive study, we reviewed 122 patients with bullous pemphigoid within 1987-2007. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, treatment, relapses and outcome were evaluated. The mean age of 122 patients was 65 ± 18.11 years including 35.2% male and 64.8% female. The most common manifestations were cutaneous bullae (97.5%). 27% had oral lesions. 30.3% had eosinophillia. 90 patients(73.8%) received oral prednisolone, 29 patients (23.8%) topical steroid, 2 patients tetracycline and 1 patient dapsone. 89 patients were followed after admission. Out of them 44 patients experienced first relapse and 22 patients second relapse. 41 cases (46%) were completely controlled. 11 cases (12%) were not controlled. Clinical and general characteristics of bullous pemphigoid patients differ in various regions in the world.

To avoid complications of high dose corticosteroid, pemphigus patients are usually co-treated with other immunosuppressive agents. Liver enzyme abnormality occurs commonly during treatment and occasionally causes discontinuation of drugs. To assess the rate of therapy-induced hepatotoxicity in patients with immunobullous diseases, we conducted a study of 250 pemphigus patients under immunosuppressive therapy prospectively. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plasma levels were recorded before the start of treatment and every week under treatment (up to 3 weeks). Hepatotoxicity was defined as the rise in the ALT plasma levels to greater than twice the upper normal limit. Approximately 81% of patients received prednisolone and azathioprine. Approximately 12% received only prednisolone. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 2.9% (n = 8) of patients after 1 week, in 7.8% (n = 20) after 2 weeks and in 11.5% (n = 29) after 3 weeks. No patient had jaundice or other clinical manifestations of hepatitis. The mean values of ALT and AST before the start of treatment were 20.7 ± 13.7 and 17.6 ± 10.8 U/L, respectively that grew to 47.5 ± 28.5 and 26.8 ± 14.5 U/L, 3 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Distribution of changes was not significantly different among groups of age, sex, immunosuppressive drugs and isoniazid consumption. Under usual treatment of pemphigus, hepatotoxicity occurs in 10% of patients during the first 3 weeks of therapy that does not seem to be associated with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil exclusively. High doses of prednisolone may play a role., (© 2011 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Bone disorders have emerged as a worrisome complication in HIV-infected patients in recent years. It is not clear that HIV infection itself or antiretroviral treatment or both are causes of bone loss. However, most studies have found a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV/AIDS patients. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients either untreated or receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy as compared with HIV negative persons. We also assessed the factors associated with these conditions. Bone Mineral Density was assessed by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry scans at the hip and lumbar spine in 36 AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and 44 HIV infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy (naïve patients) and 40 HIV negative individuals as control. Factors that affect BMD were also determined. Prevalence of osteopenia or osteoporosis in different regions was significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients compared with HIV negative subjects (77.3% in HIV positive naïve patients, 86.1% in HAART-treated patients and 60% in the control group, P=0.002). Mean serum alkaline phosphatase was higher in HIV/AIDS patients than the control group (P=0.003). Osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients were associated with duration of HIV infection (P<0.0001) and antiretroviral treatment (P=0.012). Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV/AIDS patients was higher than HIV negative individuals. Osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV/AIDS patients was associated with duration of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment.

Background: Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder, which results from interaction of exogenous and endogenous factors. One of these environmental factors is viral infections particularly, herpesviruses. We aimed to detect the presence of HSV 1 and 2 (herpes simplex virus) and HHV8 (human herpesvirus 8) in our patients who were suffering from pemphigus vulgaris., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 38 patients (19 male and 19 female patients) with pemphigus vulgaris were entered, 32 skins and six peripheral blood cells samples were obtained from the study population. Thereafter, the presence of HHV8 and HSV DNA were evaluated by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)., Results: The mean age of patients was 45.05 ± 17.24 years (range: 16-81 years). Twelve patients mentioned history of herpes labial in the past (31.57%). Results of PCR test for detection of HSV and HHV8 DNA in all 32 skin samples and five peripheral blood samples and one case with skin and blood samples were reported negative., Conclusion: Inability to detect HHV8 and HSV DNA in this study suggests that herpesviruses may be only occasional factors for development or exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris., (© 2010 The International Society of Dermatology.)

A 31-year-old man was referred to our clinic complaining of generalized erythematous and scaly papules and plaques. He suffered from a brain tumor (astrocytoma) and was immunosuppressed because he was receiving systemic steroids and chemo-radiation therapy. He also had psychomotor retardation and behavior changes due to the pressure effect of his brain tumor. The diagnosis of crusted scabies was established based on direct positive skin smears from the lesions., (Copyright 2009 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)