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Biomedical subjects

C L Goh

Publications and source records attributed to C L Goh.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Pattern of dermatophyte infection in Singapore.

Dermatophyte infection is the fourth commonest skin disorder seen in the National Skin Centre in Singapore. A prospective study was carried out from June 1990 to March 1991 to determine the epidemiology and pattern of dermatophyte infections seen in this centre. Two hundred patients who had a clinical diagnosis of dermatophyte infection and confirmed by direct microscopy were included into the study. Cultures for dermatophyte were done on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. There were 148 male and 52 female patients, of whom 146 (73%) had a positive culture from one or more sites. One hundred and thirty-nine (95.2%) patients had dermatophyte infection while the remaining seven (4.8%) patients had non-dermatophyte infection. The sites involved were the groin (92 patients), feet (52 patients), trunk (26 patients), hands (18 patients), face (9 patients), legs (9 patients), scalp (8 patients) and axilla (7 patients). The commonest dermatophyte isolated was Trichophyton rubrum (81/139). It was also the commonest organism isolated in all the sites except the scalp. The other dermatophytes grown were, in order of frequency, Trichophyton interdigitale (21/139), Epidermophyton floccosum (19/139), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (9/139), Microsporum ferrigineum (4/139), Microsporum canis (4/139) and Microsporum gypseum (1/139). Scalp infections occurred in children and were due either to Microsporum canis or Microsporum ferrigineum. The organisms isolated in our study were either ubiquitous or common in the Asia-Pacific region indicating that certain dermatophytes are more prevalent in certain geographical regions.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiology of chronic paronychia in a skin hospital in Singapore.

A retrospective epidemiologic study of 110 patients with chronic paronychia (CP) showed a female-male ratio of 2.3:1, whereas the ratio of patients attending the same clinic was 1.1:1 (p less than 0.001). The peak age range of patients with CP (40-49 years) generally was greater than that of the general dermatologic patients (20-29 years). Seventy-seven percent of the patients with CP were "manual workers," of which 48% were homemakers. Chronic paronychia was more common on the right fingers than the left fingers. The most commonly affected fingers were the right thumb (62%), followed by the right middle finger (52%), left thumb (57.6%), and left middle finger (51.5%). Mechanical trauma appears to be an important predisposing factor in CP. Sixty-two percent of 68 patients who had nail fold smears had positive findings for budding yeast cells, suggestive of candidal infection. All of the six patients for whom nail fold bacterial cultures were performed had positive results for enteric flora.

Adult↗

Cutting oil dermatitis on guinea pig skin (I). Cutting oil dermatitis and barrier cream.

We assessed the effect of repeated application of cutting oil on 9 guinea pigs' skin by visual scoring and skin water vapour loss measurement. The visual scores (severity score) were significantly higher on skin treated with cutting oil (positive control) compared to untreated skin (negative control). The corresponding mean SVL values were also significantly higher. We also assessed the effect of 2 barrier creams on the 9 guinea pigs' skin treated with cutting oil. The visual scores on skin treated with either barrier cream were significantly higher than positive control skin. The corresponding mean SVL values on skin treated with either barrier cream were also higher (not statistically significant). It appeared that the 2 barrier creams did not confer protection against the irritant effect of the cutting oil. On the contrary, barrier creams appeared to exacerbate the irritant effect of cutting oil.

Animals↗

Cutting oil dermatitis on guinea pig skin. (II). Emollient creams and cutting oil dermatitis.

The effect of repeated exposure of cutting oil on 8 guinea pigs' skin was evaluated by visual scoring for erythema and skin water vapour loss (SVL) measurement over a 6-week period. The visual scores (measuring severity of erythema) and SVL values were significantly higher on skin treated with cutting oils (positive control) compared to untreated skin (negative control) throughout the study period. The scores and SVL values returned to near-baseline values when cutting oil application was stopped. In addition, the effect of 2 "after-work" emollient creams on 8 guinea pigs' skin repeatedly treated with a cutting oil was assessed by similar methods. The visual scores and SVL values of guinea pig skin that was repeatedly treated with the cutting oil and moisturized with "after-work" emollient creams, were significantly higher than negative and positive control guinea pig skin. It appeared that the 2 "after-work" emollient creams do not alleviate the irritant effect of the cutting oil on guinea pig skin. They appeared to aggravate the irritant effect of the cutting oil.

Animals↗

Tussockosis: an outbreak of dermatitis caused by tussock moths in Singapore.

An outbreak of acute pruritic rash occurred in March 1990 among 141 residents of a high-rise public housing estate in Bukit Panjang, Singapore. The typical rash consisted of urticarial lesions distributed over the limbs and trunk. The outbreak was associated with a transient increase in tussock moths in the residential estate following an unusual, short dry spell. The aetiology was established when patch tests with crude moth material produced similar eruptions in 5 out of 7 adult volunteers between 40 min and 12 h. Pharmacological experiments with an aqueous extract of moth hairs in isolated guinea pig ileum elicited a response similar to that induced by histamine.

Adolescent↗

Cetirizine vs placebo in chronic idiopathic urticaria--a double blind randomised cross-over study.

The efficacy of cetirizine dihydrochloride, a new H1-antagonist claimed to have minimal sedative property was evaluated in 28 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Cetirizine 10 mg and placebo were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial. Response was measured by patients with daily charts on itch and wheals. Response was also assessed by patients and investigators while on cetirizine and placebo on an analogue scale. The mean analogue score by the investigator while on cetirizine (64.6 mm) was better than while on placebo (47.0 mm) (p = 0.008). Reduction of itch with cetirizine was significantly greater than with placebo. The mean itch scores for placebo and cetirizine were 21.2 and 14.5 respectively (p = 0.01) showing a significant improvement of itch by cetirizine. The mean score for wheal response for placebo and cetirizine were 21.0 and 16.16 respectively (p = 0.07 NS) showing a reduction of wheal from cetirizine was greater than placebo but the difference was not statistically significant. The patients' mean visual analogue score for placebo was 38.4 and for cetirizine was 57.5 (p = 0.006). Cetirizine was significantly better in controlling symptoms of chronic urticaria than placebo. Five of the 28 (17.9%) patients reported mild drowsiness while taking cetirizine. Two patients reported drowsiness while on placebo. Tolerance was reported as good in 85%, moderate in 10% and bad in 5% according to patients' assessment, while tolerance was excellent and good in 80%, moderate in 15% of patients according to investigator's assessment.

Adolescent↗

Aluminum chloride hexahydrate versus palmar hyperhidrosis. Evaporimeter assessment.

The efficacy of topical aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20% W/W ethanol (ACH) in the treatment symptomatic palmar hyperhidrosis was studied in 12 patients. A half-sided control single blind (assessor blind) study was done. Patients applied ACH on one palm daily for 4 weeks. The response to treatment was measured objectively with an evaporimeter. There was significant fall of skin water vapor loss (SVL) on treated palms compared with untreated palms. The basal mean SVL of treated palms and untreated palms were 79.9 and 77.9 g water/m2/h, respectively (n.s.). The mean SVLs of treated vs. untreated palms at week 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 66.4 vs. 79.7 (p less than 0.05), 56.6 vs. 72.2 (p less than 0.001), 58.2 vs. 72.5 (p = 0.1), and 51.4 vs. 72.7 (p less than 0.001) g water/m2/h, respectively. The mean SVL of treated palms returned near basal rate within 1 week of stopping treatment. Four patients developed skin irritation from ACH; in three this disappeared after 1 week and they were able to continue with treatment; one withdrew from the study because of the severe irritation. All patients reported that the ACH reduced palmar sweating within 48 hours of application; its effect disappeared within 48 hours after stopping treatment. ACH appeared to be useful in rapid control of palmar hyperhydrosis.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Coexisting follicular mucinosis and mycosis fungoides--a case report.

This is a case report of a patient with mycosis fungoides coexisting with follicular mucinosis. The simultaneous occurrence of these two conditions has been documented. There is controversy as to whether mycosis fungoides in patients with follicular mucinosis arises de novo or whether follicular mucinosis can evolve into mycosis fungoides. The relationship between the two conditions is discussed.

Adult↗

Dermatological symptoms among visual display unit operators using plasma display and cathode ray tube screens.

A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of dermatological complaints in 672 full time visual display unit (VDU) operators in Singapore. Two hundred and sixty-nine operators worked with plasma display (PD) screens, while the other 403 used cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. The overall one year period prevalence rate for dermatological complaints was 12%. Thirty-six (13%) PD operators and 46 (11%) CRT operators had skin complaints. The age and sex distribution of persons in the two groups were similar. Twenty-eight (10.4%) PD workers and 24 (6.0%) CRT workers had symptoms of itch, tingling, or the feeling of being stroked by a feather after working with the VDU for some time. Furthermore, 19 (7.1%) PD and 14 (3.5%) CRT workers stated that their skin problems improved during weekends or when they were off duty. The difference between these rates were not statistically significant. Operators with dermatological complaints in the past year were more likely to have a personal history of atopy, complain about their work environment, and have musculoskeletal symptoms of the shoulder and low back. The results indicate that the prevalence and nature of dermatological symptoms among operators using either type of VDU monitor are similar.

Adult↗

Computer applications in dermatology.

Advances in computer technology both in hardwares and softwares has stimulated the proliferation of the use of computers in dermatology. The computers enable the voluminous medical literature and records to be compiled and accessed readily. Information technology enables dermatologists to conduct literature searches efficiently and helps in the management of patients. The information compiled in the computers as databases together with its capability to handle complex statistical analysis also enables dermatologists and computer scientists to develop expert systems to assist the dermatologist in the diagnosis and prognostication of diseases and to predict disease trends. Computers have also allowed dermatologists to assess visual images objectively, making it possible to study treatment response more accurately.

Artificial Intelligence↗

Eczema of the face, scalp and neck: an epidemiological comparison by site.

Fifteen percent of 3684 patients with eczema attending a contact clinic presented with head and/or neck eczema. There were epidemiological differences among eczema rashes occurring on different parts of the head and neck. Of the 538 patients with head and/or neck eczema, 345 (64%) occurred solely on the face, 52 (10%) on the eyelids, 49 (9%) on the lips, 20 (4%) on the ears, 22 (4%) on the scalp, and 21 (4%) on the neck. Twenty-nine (5%) had eczema on more than one area of the head/neck. The mean age was lowest in patients with lip eczema (27.5 years) and highest in patients with eyelid eczema (37 years) (p = 0.0056). The proportion of females with eczema was higher than males in all groups except the scalp eczema group. Contact dermatitis was more prevalent in the ear eczema (80%) and neck eczema (76%) groups, while endogenous/unclassifiable eczema was more prevalent in the lip eczema (72%) and scalp eczema (73%) groups (p less than 0.0001). Allergic contact dermatitis was more common than irritant contact dermatitis.

Adolescent↗

An epidemiological comparison between occupational and non-occupational hand eczema.

Thirty-four per cent of 2110 patients with eczema attending a contact dermatitis clinic had hand eczema. Fifty-five per cent (395 of 721) had contact dermatitis and 45% (326 of 721) had endogenous/unclassifiable eczema. Thirty-five per cent of cases (217 of 721) were occupational eczema. An epidemiological comparison of patients with occupational and non-occupational hand eczema (defined as eczema occurring on the hands up to the wrist line) was made. Hand eczema was more common in males in both groups, and there was a significantly larger proportion of males in the occupational group (65%) than the non-occupational group (51%) (P less than 0.001). The prevalence of a personal or family history of atopy was significantly lower in the occupational group (7%) than the non-occupational group (15%) (P less than 0.005). Irritant contact dermatitis occurred in a larger proportion of patients in the occupational group (76%) than the non-occupational group (39%) (P less than 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the proportions of patients with positive patch test reactions in the occupational group (34%) and the non-occupational group (41%). Potassium dichromate, and epoxy resin allergy occurred significantly, more frequently, in the occupational group whereas fragrance-mix allergy was significantly more frequent in the non-occupational group.

Adult↗

Urticarial papular and plaque eruptions. A noneczematous manifestation of allergic contact dermatitis.

A noneczematous eruption associated with allergic contact dermatitis is described. Five patients had disseminated erythematous urticarial papular and plaque eruptions secondary to contact allergy to two substances (four to proflavine and one to a permanent waving lotion). The eruption appeared to be similar to the previously described "erythema multiforme-like eruption" associated with allergic contact dermatitis. A review of the previous report indicated that the eruptions currently being reported do not have the typical clinical and histologic features of erythema multiforme. The term "urticarial papular and plaque eruption of contact allergy" is suggested to describe the eruption. The exact mechanism of the eruption remained speculative.

Adult↗