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Biomedical subjects

Vijay Zawar

Publications and source records attributed to Vijay Zawar.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Epiluminescence dermatoscopy enhanced patient compliance and achieved treatment success in pseudofolliculitis barbae.

SUMMARY A patient presented with recalcitrant pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertrophic scarring. The use of epiluminescence dermatoscopy rendered clear visualization of U-shaped ingrowing hairs corresponding to the sites of individual papules. Such real-time demonstration led to an attitude change and good compliance with medical advice against over shaving, resulting in a successful treatment outcome.

Adult↗

The skin and the mind.

BACKGROUND: The intimate relationship of the skin and the mind illustrates the importance of a holistic approach in caring for patients with skin problems. Habits related to psychological problems may lead to skin problems such as lichen simplex chronicus and acne excoriée. Emotional stress may affect skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, pompholyx, and plaque psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the relationship between the mind and skin disease. DISCUSSION: Skin disease can exert a profound effect on the psychosocial dimension of a patient's life. Its effect on quality of life can be objectively assessed and documented by validated tools specific for the skin. Patient rated measures should be taken into account when evaluating the efficacy and adverse effects of treatments for skin disease.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Demonstration of residual perifollicular pigmentation in localized vitiligo--a reverse and novel application of digital epiluminescence dermoscopy.

Digital epiluminescence dermoscopy (microscopy) is usually employed to examine melanomas and other pigmented lesions. We report its reverse application in assisting the early diagnosis of a depigmentation condition-localized vitiligo. A pattern of depigmentation with residual reservoirs of perifollicular pigments is clearly visualized. This pattern is not seen in other disorders of depigmentation. Such pattern signifies focally active or repigmenting vitiligo and thus, clearly serves as a useful guide for the cases wherein there exists a doubt about the possible diagnosis. Further studies are warranted to affirm the specificity and applicability of our observations.

Dermatology↗

Is human herpesvirus 7 the causative agent of pityriasis rosea?--A critical review.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results on the association of pityriasis rosea and human herpesvirus 7 infection have been reported by different investigators. AIM: To review the level of evidence for such an association. METHODS: Medline was searched with unlimited data entry and 13 reports were retrieved. The data were analyzed for a causative association according to the criteria of Fredericks and Relman, which take into consideration latent infection and the reactivation of viruses characteristic of herpesviruses, and the roles of sequence-based detection methods. RESULTS: None of the criteria was substantiated by the findings of most investigators. Factors leading to the discrepancies of the results were discussed. CONCLUSION: There is currently insufficient evidence that human herpesvirus 7 infection is causally related to pityriasis rosea.

DNA, Viral↗

Fixed drug eruption - a sexually inducible reaction?

We present three cases of diagnosed fixed drug eruption (FDE) in male patients with known drug sensitivity. In each case, the patient has refrained strictly from intake of the offending agent over many years. FDE developed after history of sexual contact with their spouses who were found to be receiving the same medication to which their partners were hypersensitive. We hypothesized that sexual transfer of the drug antigen occurs through the vaginal fluid on the sensitized area of the male genitalia.

Adult↗

Facial hirsutism following danazol therapy.

We describe a 32-year-old woman who presented with excessive facial hair growth of sudden onset that disturbed her psychologically. She had been treated for fibrocystic breast disease with danazol for 6 months. Two months after discontinuation of the drug, the patient had complete reversal of the hair abnormality.

Adult↗

The diagnostic criteria of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: are they applicable to children in India?

In order to evaluate the applicability of the diagnostic criteria to children with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) in India we retrieved all clinical records of children with a definite diagnosis of this syndrome seen over 30 months in a private dermatology practice. The controls were children for whom Gianotti-Crosti had been suspected but the final diagnosis was not this syndrome, and children in whom it was not suspected but who were diagnosed with any of the differential diagnoses of the syndrome. We documented the presence or absence of the positive and negative clinical features for all patients and controls. The clinical records of 23 children with GCS and 74 controls were retrieved. The three positive clinical features--1) papules or papulovesicles 1-10 mm in diameter on at least three of the following four sites: cheeks, buttocks, extensor surfaces of the forearms, extensor surfaces of legs; 2) being symmetrical; 3) lasting for at least 10 days--were sensitive and positively correlated with GCS. Both negative clinical features--extensive truncal lesions and scaly lesions--are negatively correlated with this syndrome. All 23 children with GCS and none of the controls fulfilled the set of diagnostic criteria. We concluded that the Gianotti-Crosti diagnostic criteria are applicable to affected children in India.

Acrodermatitis↗

Pityriasis rosea-like eruptions due to mustard oil application.

A young man employed in a construction company, presented with cutaneous lesions clinically simulating pityriasis rosea. Satisfactory and complete response to corticosteroids and antihistamines was followed by recurrence. Multiple recurrences within a short span of time arose a suspicion of alternative diagnosis. Site visit helped us to rule out occupational contact dermatitis. Further history taking revealed that he was recently using mustard oil for body massage. Subsequent patch testing confirmed contact hypersensitivity to mustard oil. Avoidance of the contact with mustard oil arrested appearance of further skin lesions. We stress the importance of taking a good history in clinical practice in disclosing a possible contactant.

Adult↗

Pityriasis rosea--an update.

Recent controversies on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment have led to increased interest in pityriasis rosea (PR). We review these aspects of the disease. PR is universal. The incidence is around 0.68 per 100 dermatological patients, or 172.2 per 100,000 person-years. The prevalence in people aged between 10 and 29 years is 0.6%. The male to female ratio is around 1:1.43. Evidence on seasonal variation is conflicting, but there is no evidence that the incidence is dependent on mean air temperature, mean total rainfall, or mean relative humidity. Spatial-temporal and temporal clustering of cases of PR has been reported. The association of PR with human herpesvirus-7 infection is still controversial. Owing to the extreme high sensitivities of sequence-based detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction, novel criteria should be applied to evaluate the evidence. There is no evidence that PR is associated with other viral or bacterial infections. The role of autoimmunity in PR warrants further investigations. Many patients with PR have one or more atypical features. Application of validated diagnostic criteria may be helpful for atypical cases. The efficacy of macrolides, including erythromycin, in PR is still under evaluation. There is no evidence that antiviral agents are effective. The efficacies of ultraviolet radiotherapy and systemic corticosteroids are not well established. In managing a patient with PR, we should concentrate more on how the eruption is affecting the quality of life, i.e. the illness, rather than the extent and severity of the eruption, i.e. the disease.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗