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Introduction: this research aimed to analyze nerve growth factor (NGF) contents as diagnostic tools for early disability in leprosy patients and the cutoff point value. Methods: research samples consisted of 79 leprosy patients with disability grade 0 or 1 who met the clinically approved inclusion criteria. The age of patients ranged from 14 to 50 years. For both sample groups, blood serum was collected to determine NGF concentration. NGF level was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manual guide of the kit insert from Cussabio®. Statistical analysis used SPSS 17 software for Windows. A comparison was performed with the Student's t-test and the NGF concentration cut-off point was determined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: the research result demonstrated that NGF concentration in multibacillary leprosy with disability grade 0 was higher than in grade 1. Leprosy with disability grade 0 had an NGF content reaching 100.46 pg/mL, while those with grade 1 had a lower concentration of NGF at 30.56 pg/mL. The higher disability grade indicated a lower NGF concentration in the blood serum. Based on the ROC analysis result, the NGF cut-off was shown to be 81.43 pg/mL. This result indicated that low NGF in nerve and skin lesions of leprosy patients contributes to early peripheral nerve malfunction due to Mycobacterium leprae infection. Conclusion: these results prove that NGF can be used as a marker of early disability in leprosy, with the cut-off value at 81.43 pg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This research discusses the potential of Orthosiphon aristatus, a medicinal plant, in improving skin lesions in Atopic Dermatitis by regulating Th2 cytokines and showing anti-allergic activity. Methods: The study was conducted using BALB/C mice induced with DNCB for 21 days to create an atopic dermatitis model. Then, the mice were orally administered Orthosiphon aristatus extract for 14 days (after 7 days of induction). The doses given were divided into six groups: 17.5 mg/kgbw, 35 mg/kgbw, 70 mg/kgbw, and 140 mg/kgbw. Molecular levels such as IgE, IL4, IL22, and PGE2 were analyzed from blood samples. In addition, the severity of skin lesions was assessed morphologically, and histological examination was performed to confirm clinical improvement. Results: This study showed that the administration of Orthosiphon aristatus extract reduced the severity of skin lesions in all intervention groups. Histologically, this extract reduced epidermal thickness and mast cell infiltration. These findings were also supported by dose-dependent decreases in IgE, IL4, IL22, and PGE2 levels. So, the conclusion of this study is that Orthosiphon aristatus extract shows potential for improving skin lesions in atopic dermatitis by regulating Th2 cytokines and demonstrating anti-allergic activity in a mice model with DNCBinduced atopic dermatitis. Conclusion; The administration of Orthosiphon aristatus extract clinically and histologically exhibits anti-atopic effects that can be explained through the regulation of molecules such as IgE, IL4, IL22, PGE2, and NO. Orthosiphon aristatus has the potential to be a valuable herbal therapy for managing atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucio Phenomenon (LPh) is a reactional state usually observed in untreated or inadequately treated leprosy and is a life-threatening medical emergency. Several cases of LPh have been reported in Indonesia, which is an endemic country with highest burden of new case besides India and Brazil. Generally, histopathological findings in LPh reveal granulomatous and panniculitis reactions with vascular infiltration of acid fast bacilli. However, it is still debatable whether the main pathophysiology of necrosis is due to occlusive vasculopathy or immune complex-mediated process. In this study, we report clinical and histopathological descriptions of 3 patients with LPh. The first case was resulted with severe necrosis, mortality and massive bacilli infiltration with endothelial damage on histopathology examination. The second and third case presented less severe manifestation with multiple ulcers covered with hemorrhagic crust and mild necrosis. The histopathology examination showed minimal inflammation on the endothelial. This serial case report showed that histopathological examination might be useful as a prediction value on LPh since it can characterize the basic pathogenesis process. Lucio Phenomenon (LPh) is a reactionary state usually observed in untreated or inadequately treated leprosy and is a life-threatening medical emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Knee osteoarthritis is a common osteoarthritis, which limits individual’s activity and affects aspects of daily life and quality of life. The prevalence of osteoarthritis in Indonesians is still high, reaching 12.7% in women and 15.8% in men. Based on the WHO, the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the world is still high, with 18% in women and 80% in men. This study aimed to determine the relationship between gender and the severity of knee osteoarthritis at Baptis Hospital, Batu City. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 27 female patients and 10 male patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis at Baptis Hospital, Batu City. Data on gender and the severity of osteoarthritis were collected from medical records. The severity of knee osteoarthritis was assessed using the Kellgren-Lawrence system. Results Among 27 female (73%) and 10 male patients (27%), seven patients suffered from osteoarthritis grade 1, 13 from osteoarthritis grade 2, 16 from osteoarthritis grade 3, and one patient suffered from osteoarthritis grade 4. There was no significant relationship (p>0.05) between the severity of knee osteoarthritis and patients gender. Conclusion There was no significant relationship between the severity of knee osteoarthritis between males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malassezia folliculitis (MF) is a humid‐favoured fungal skin disease caused by Malassezia species. Inaccurate treatments, changes in skin flora and disease exacerbation are often occurred due to oversights in the diagnosis. Several diagnostic methods are established for MF. Objective: To identify clinico‐laboratory findings of Malassezia folliculitis in Indonesia. Methods: The study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2018 in seven referral teaching hospitals. Medical records of MF‐diagnosed patients were obtained and analysed using the binomial test, chi‐square test and Cohen's Kappa coefficient in SPSS 26.0. Results: A total of 353 cases of MF were identified in seven referral teaching hospitals in Indonesia, 66.3% of which were males and 33.7% were females, dominated by the 17–25 years old group (44.5%). Itchy sensation (83.9%) was a major subjective complaint. Lesions were majorly found on the trunk‐chest, back and shoulder (68.3%), while the clinical manifestation are mostly follicular papule‐pustular lesions (62.1%). Patients were 87.4% positive by KOH examination (modified Jacinto Jamora's criteria) and 69.1% positive by Wood's lamp. Generally, sex, age, subjective complaint, lesion location, clinical manifestation and both examinations were statistically significant (p <.001). A significant relationship between all the clinical criteria of the patients in the KOH especially the clinical manifestation was significantly related to Wood's lamp. The Cohen's Kappa assessment suggested that there was an agreement between KOH and Wood's lamp (κ = −0.272, p <.001). Conclusion: The clinical symptoms of Malassezia folliculitis are dominated by pruritus, papulopustular follicular lesions on the trunk and the presence of spore load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]