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Biomedical subjects

Chander Grover

Publications and source records attributed to Chander Grover.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Association study of major risk single nucleotide polymorphisms in the common regulatory region of PARK2 and PACRG genes with leprosy in an Indian population.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory region shared by PARK2 and PACRG have been identified as major risk factors for leprosy susceptibility in two ethnically distinct populations. We investigated the association of six SNPs present in this regulatory region with leprosy susceptibility in an Indian population. Genotyping was performed by direct PCR sequencing in 286 leprosy patients and 350 healthy controls. Our results showed that T allele of SNPs PARK2_e01 (-2599) and 28 kb target_2_1 was significantly associated with susceptibility to leprosy per se (P=0.03 and 0.03, respectively). The T allele of SNPs PARK2_e01 (-2599) showed a significant recessive effect (P=0.04) in susceptibility to leprosy in Indian population as against the dominant effect of haplotype T-C of the major risk SNPs PARK2_e01 (-2599) and rs1040079 in Brazilian and Vietnamese population. However, after bonferroni corrections, these significant differences disappeared. Haplotype analysis also showed a lack of significant association of any haplotype with cases or controls. The noninvolvement of major risk SNPs in the regulatory region of PARK2 and PACRG locus with leprosy susceptibility in Indian population highlights the differential effect of these SNPs in regulating genetic susceptibility to leprosy in different populations.

Adolescent↗

Suction blister epidermal grafting for management of eyelid vitiligo: special considerations.

BACKGROUND: Suction blister epidermal grafting is an established technique for the treatment of resistant and stable vitiligo especially over small and cosmetically important areas like the face. However, certain areas, such as lips and eyelids, require special considerations because of their anatomic peculiarities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study was carried out on six patients of stable eyelid vitiligo, not responding to medical treatment. Suction blister was obtained from the thigh using the suction apparatus and the roof was grafted on to the dermabraded eyelid. Certain precautions were taken during the procedure, which will be highlighted in the current study. RESULTS: Response was excellent in all the patients in 3 to 6 months, with no complications. CONCLUSIONS: If carried out properly, suction blister technique is the procedure of choice for cosmetically important sites like eyelids.

Blister↗

En bloc excision of proximal nail fold for treatment of chronic paronychia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic paronychia is a very recalcitrant dermatosis, which is particularly prevalent in housewives. Medical treatment for this condition is unsatisfactory in a significant number of cases. Surgical approach forms an important part of management, however, this area has received little attention. Various surgical approaches have been tried in the past but a comparative analysis has not been attempted. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims at assessing the efficacy of en bloc excision of proximal nail fold (PNF). Moreover, a comparative analysis has been undertaken to assess whether or not simultaneous nail plate avulsion improves the treatment outcome. METHODS: Thirty patients of chronic paronychia with nail plate irregularities were randomly divided into two treatment groups (15 patients each). After a detailed evaluation, en bloc excision of PNF with or without nail plate removal was performed. Postoperative measures were advised and the patients were kept under regular follow-up thereafter. Assessment of postoperative complications was also performed. RESULTS: Twelve patients in group I and 13 patients in group II completed the treatment protocol. Of these, 70% of patients were cured in group II (en bloc excision with nail avulsion) whereas only 41% were cured in group I (en bloc excision without nail avulsion). CONCLUSION: En bloc excision of the PNF is a useful method in recalcitrant chronic paronychia. Simultaneous avulsion of the nail plate improves the surgical outcome. Strict avoidance of irritant exposure is necessary to ensure complete treatment and prevent recurrence.

Adolescent↗

IL-10 promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms are significantly associated with resistance to leprosy.

The minor haplotype -3575A/-2849G/-2763C in IL-10 promoter has been defined as a marker of disease resistance to leprosy and its severity in Brazilian population. Our investigation of six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-10 promoter in 282 Indian leprosy patients and 266 healthy controls by direct PCR sequencing, however, showed that the extended haplotype: -3575T/-2849G/-2763C/-1082A/-819C/-592C was associated with resistance to leprosy per se and to the development of severe form of leprosy, using either a binomial (controls vs cases, P=0.01, OR=0.58, CI=0.37-0.89) or ordinal (controls vs paucibacillary vs multibacillary, P=0.004) model. Whereas, IL-10 haplotype -3575T/-2849G/-2763C/-1082A/-819T/-592A was associated with the risk of development of severe form of leprosy (P=0.0002) in contrast to the minor risk haplotype -3575T/-2849A/-2763C in the Brazilian population. The role of IL-10 promoter SNPs in Brazilian and Indian population strongly suggests the involvement of IL-10 locus in the outcome of leprosy.

Brazil↗

Cutaneous tuberculosis mimicking sporotrichosis.

The authors describe an unusual presentation of lupus vulgaris in a 5-year-old boy. The lesions had a linear arrangement with proximal spread mimicking sporotrichosis. Histopathology of the lesions revealed tuberculoid granulomas. Tubercular etiology was confirmed by the demonstration of acid fast bacilli in the smears from the regional lymph node aspirate stained with Ziehl Neelsen stain, and growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the aspirate culture. The patient showed marked improvement of his lesions on anti-tubercular treatment.

Child, Preschool↗

Efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide in various acquired nail dystrophies.

The treatment of nail disorders is currently an unsatisfying exercise. Isolated nail involvement generally does not warrant any systemic therapy. At the same time, treatment is requested because of significant cosmetic and functional handicap. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in the proximal nail fold was evaluated as a treatment modality in 30 patients with twenty-nail dystrophy, 14 with nail lichen planus, and 6 with nail psoriasis. The number of involved nails varied from 1-20, and 1-10 nails were treated with TA. Fourteen patients discontinued treatment after 1-2 sittings. Out of the 28 patients completing the treatment protocol, 16 showed 75-100% improvement. Predominant side effects included pain, subungual hematoma formation, proximal nail fold hypopigmentation, and atrophy. TA given as a single injection in the proximal nail fold produced good improvement in a significant number of patients completing the treatment protocol. Lower concentrations of TA (5 mg/ml) were quite effective in treating various dermatoses affecting the nail unit. Our technique had fewer side effects than needle-less injection or multiple injection techniques. Careful attention to injection technique further minimized the side effects associated with the procedure. Sixteen patients completed the six-month follow-up and a relapse of nail changes was seen in 10. The relapses were equally responsive to retreatment. TA injected into the proximal nail fold area is a useful, cheap and efficacious treatment for dermatoses affecting the nail unit.

Adolescent↗

A case of extensive linear porokeratosis with evaluation of topical tretinoin versus 5-flourouracil as treatment modalities.

A 19-year-old male presented with linear raised lesions over extensive areas of his body that followed Blaschko's lines. The lesions were asymptomatic with ridged borders. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of porokeratosis. He was given topical tretinoin and topical flourouracil for local application on specified areas. The cosmetic acceptability and the safety profile of tretinoin were found to be better than those of flourouracil. However, both the agents were equally efficacious. A rare case of extensive porokeratosis with comparative evaluation of two treatment modalities is hereby presented.

Administration, Topical↗

Nail biopsy: assessment of indications and outcome.

BACKGROUND: For years, nail biopsy has been shunned as a difficult and scarring procedure, which is seldom required in day-to-day practice. Only a few studies with a limited number of patients have been carried out to assess its utility in dermatology. METHODS: We studied 270 patients with nail disorders (both infectious and noninfectious). In 205 cases, the clinical diagnosis could be confirmed with the help of routine diagnostic aids, in the form of potassium hydroxide preparation, fungal culture, and biopsy of associated skin lesions. In the remaining 65 cases, various types of nail biopsies were carried out after ruling out contraindications to nail surgery. RESULTS: Overall, the histopathologic changes were found to be diagnostic in 63% of cases. Findings were more characteristic in infectious disorders of the nail unit. The diagnostic yield varied with the type of biopsy procedure. Side effects in the form of scarring and nail dystrophy were seen in 29.2% of the patients. DISCUSSION: Nail biopsy is useful, especially in cases with isolated nail involvement, an absence of skin lesions, and disorders such as twenty-nail dystrophy. It should be advocated in cases in which the routine diagnostic procedures fail to yield results. Proper selection of cases, choice of biopsy technique, and attention to the surgical procedure help in minimizing the side effects associated with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Nail biopsy was found to be a simple, safe, and useful procedure, especially in cases in which the clinical diagnosis is otherwise obscure.

Adult↗

Psoriatic nephropathy--does an entity exist?

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin. Association with kidney disease has been debated for a long time. Secondary renal amyloidosis in psoriatic arthropathy and drug-induced renal lesions secondary to methotrexate or cyclosporine are accepted accompaniments of psoriasis. IgA nephropathy is also known to occur in psoriatics. We report three interesting cases of renal involvement in long-standing established psoriasis on topical therapy alone. The patients presented with hypertension, significant proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and dyslipidemia. Kidney biopsies revealed "mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with IgA nephropathy," "focal proliferative glomerulonephritis," and "membranous glomerulonephropathy." The former two had marked active urinary sediment. Patients improved on prednisolone and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Contrary to the belief that renal involvement in psoriasis is coincidental, we propose that kidney disease may be a common accompaniment of psoriasis, which may be labeled as "psoriatic nephropathy" or "psoriatic kidney disease." The exact mechanism of this entity is yet to be elucidated.

Adult↗

Leprosy with neurofibromatosis--a diagnostic dilemma.

The coexistence of leprosy with neurofibromatosis is a rare finding and can pose a diagnostic dilemma. Neurofibromatosis coexisting with borderline tuberculoid leprosy has previously not been reported. We report such a case in a 13-year-old boy where biopsy of clinically uninvolved nerve revealed the presence of acid-fast bacilli. A careful diagnostic workup is needed in such cases to ensure proper treatment. Both disorders affect Schwann cells and their relationship merits further consideration.

Adolescent↗

Leprosy with Guillain Barre Syndrome: a new neurologic manifestation?

A 19-year-old female patient of lepromatous leprosy with Type II reaction, on multidrug therapy and prednisolone, presented with acute onset flaccid quadriparesis. The cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed albumino-cytologic dissociation. Nerve biopsy showed infiltration with lepra bacilli, features of vasculitis, and demyelination. There were no other identifiable precipitating factors for Guillain Barre Syndrome in this patient. Her condition improved without any steroid therapy. This case emphasizes the hypothesis that cell injury caused by Type II reaction can expose neural antigens and incite an autoimmune reaction in the form of Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Adult↗

Pigmentation: a potential cutaneous marker for AIDS?

Pigmentation of skin, nails and mucosae has frequently been described in HIV positive patients. Various causes for this phenomenon have been ascribed, which include intake of various drugs like zidovudine, opportunistic infections like toxoplasmosis and adrenocortical suppression. However, there has been no uniform explanation. We describe three AIDS patients with different personal and disease profiles but essentially the same pattern of pigmentation. This pattern of pigmentation is thereby discussed. We also propose that this pigmentation could be a result of late stage HIV disease per se and thus could serve as a useful cutaneous marker for the same.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Efficacy of hydroquinone (2%) versus tretinoin (0.025%) as adjunct topical agents for chemical peeling in patients of melasma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent years, chemical peels have become increasingly popular in the treatment of melasma. However, postpeel hyperpigmentation is a frequently encountered side effect, especially in dark-skinned individuals. The role of priming agents in preventing this complication has not been adequately evaluated. Hence, we studied the effect of hydroquinone versus tretinoin as priming agents in minimizing the incidence of this side effect in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial of 50 patients with melasma. METHODS: Of a total of 50 patients, 25 patients each with a similar skin phototype, the nature and severity of melasma were assigned to groups I and II. The patients were primed with 2% hydroquinone in group I, and in group II with 0.025% tretinoin once daily (night time) 2 weeks before starting trichloroacetic acid peels. Subsequently, all of them received trichloroacetic acid peels at intervals of 2 weeks for 12 weeks, followed by monthly peels for next 12 weeks during the follow-up period. Patients continued to use a sunscreen with an SPF of greater than 15 and the recommended priming agent during the follow-up. Final assessment was made at 6 months, based on the impression of the patient, clinical examination by the physician, and photographic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients (25 in each group) participated in the study. The predominant Fitzpatrick skin type observed among them was type IV (56%), and the type of melasma was mixed (44%). The final results at 12 weeks were comparable in two groups. However, a significant difference was seen in the two groups during the follow-up period, with continued improvement in 24% and worsening in 28% of patients in group I and continued improvement in only 16% and worsening in 40% in group II patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroquinone is superior to tretinoin as a priming agent in maintaining the results achieved with peels and in decreasing the incidence of postpeel reactive hyperpigmentation.

Administration, Topical↗

Longitudinal nail biopsy: utility in 20-nail dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Twenty-nail dystrophy (TND) is an inflammatory disorder of the nail unit. It is frequently encountered in childhood and is believed to be a common clinical manifestation of several nail pathologies. Varying associations and histopathologic features have been reported previously. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic profile of TND and the utility of longitudinal nail biopsy (LNB) for the same. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with TND were screened clinically. The histopathologic features of skin and longitudinal nail biopsies were also evaluated. The efficacy of nail unit biopsy was thereby assessed. RESULTS: Young males in the 10- to 20-year-old age group were most commonly affected (52%). Alopecia areata was the most commonly associated dermatosis (22%). LNB revealed a specific diagnosis of either psoriasis or lichen planus in 52% of the cases, whereas the rest showed nonspecific histologic changes (spongiotic trachyonychia). Scarring was a major risk associated with LNB, as evident in 28% of the patients studied. CONCLUSIONS: These data reveal the clinical profile and common associations of TND. They also confirm the diagnostic utility of nail biopsy in TND patients and advocate this procedure in cases in which the clinical diagnosis is otherwise obscure. However, it cannot be recommended in the routine evaluation of patients with a relatively benign disorder such as TND. Furthermore, nail biopsy is proven to be a relatively simple and useful procedure.

Adolescent↗

Onychomycosis and the diagnostic significance of nail biopsy.

Onychomycosis is the most common cause of deformed nails. It is often confused clinically with other nail diseases such as psoriasis. A cross sectional study was carried out in 120 clinically suspected onychomycosis patients to assess the diagnostic utility of nail unit histopathology. The majority of the patients were males (72.5%) in the age group of 20-40 years (55%). Involvement of fingernails alone (37.5%) was found to be more common than toenails (12.5%). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis [DLSO] (76.6%) was the predominant morphological type noted. Direct microscopy with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation revealed fungal filaments in 82.5% of the cases. Mycological culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide indicated fungal isolates in 44% of the cases, with Trichophyton mentagrophytes being the most common isolate (38.3%). The combined approach with KOH preparation and culture showed the evidence of fungus in 103 cases (85.8%). Of the rest of the 17 cases in whom both these procedures failed to confirm a diagnosis, nail unit biopsy was carried out in 15 consenting patients. Fungal hyphae (better demonstrable on PAS staining) were evident in 14 cases (93.3%). Other histopathological features observed among these patients were subungual hyperkeratosis, neutrophilic infiltrate, parakeratosis, hemorrhage, and serum crusts. We concluded that histopathological examination of nails is a valuable diagnostic aid in onychomycosis, especially if routine parameters fail to establish a diagnosis.

Adult↗

PUVA-induced lichen planus.

A 28-year-old male with histologically proven psoriasis vulgaris was administered oral 8-methoxypsoralen UVA therapy (PUVA). The plaques of psoriasis gradually responded to treatment, however numerous pruritic, violaceous papules over the right forearm and left thigh developed 5 months after starting PUVA (45 sittings with a cumulative dose of 156 J/cm(2)). Histopathologic examination of these lesions was compatible with the diagnosis of lichen planus (LP). On stopping PUVA therapy, the lesions subsided in one month. This case emphasizes the hypothesis that cell injury caused by PUVA therapy could expose some sequestered antigens to autoreactive lymphocytes and induce lichen planus.

Adult↗

Congenital becker nevus with lichen planus.

We report an interesting and rare association of congenital Becker nevus with lichen planus occurring in an 11-year-old boy. Both conditions were confirmed histopathologically.

Child↗