Iranian Journal of Dermatology
Year:2002 | Volume:5 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a self-healing disease, but due to unknown causes, a few cases of CL could get a chronic or non-healing course. These cases of chronic and recurrent leishmaniasis are defined as non-healing. Objectives: Comparison of the production of interferon-y (IFN-y) and leishmanin skin test (LST) between non-healing and healed patients of CL. Patients & Methods: Fifteen patients with non-healing CL suffering for more than two years, and eight individuals cured from CL were enrolled in this study. The rate of IFN-y production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells assessed by ELISA and results of LST were compared in both groups. Results: The mean level of IFN -y production in non-healing patients and cured individuals were 729 pg/ml, and 4229 pg/ml, respectively (t-test, P<0.01). Four patients in non-healing group had negative LST and all cured patients had positive LST. Conclusion: The low level of the IFN-y in non-healing patients and high level ofIFN-y in healed individuals are in favour of the lack of THI response, which is usually seen in healed patients. Comparing the results of LST between two groups is not conclusive.

Background: A wide variety of cutaneous and mucosal lesions occur in renal transplant recipients. Objective: Evaluation of the skin and mucous membrane lesions in the kidney transplant recipients in Noor & Ali Asghar Hospital in Esfahan. Patients & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was done on 117 patients (82 male, 35 female), who had received kidney transplants and referred to Noor & Ali Asghar Hospital during July and August 1997. Results: Hypertrichosis was the most common finding observed in 73%. Other lesions were acne (33%), folliculitis(26%), gingival hyperplasia (19%), common warts(18%), and recurrent herpes simplex infection(3%). Basal cell carcinoma was present in 3 patients and one patient had Kaposi"s sarcoma. Conclusion: Except for skin tumours, the results of this study revealed similar prevalence skin" lesions in renal of transplantation patient with those repdrtttdin the literature, which emphasizes on the importance of periodic skin examinations in these patients.

Background: Common wart is one of the most prevalent skin diseases, caused by human papilloma virus. Numerous therapeutic / modalities have been used in the treatment of warts. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 5% 5- fluorouracil ointment (5 - FU) with cryotherapy in warts of hands. the treatment of common Patients & Methods: In a single blind, prospective clinical trial, 30 patients with bilateral common warts of hands referred to Dermatology Clinic of Razi Hospital, were recruited. The lesions on one hand of the patients were treated by cryosurgery and on the other hand with 5% 5-FU ointment twice daily for about 12 weeks. Results: After 12 weeks, 93% of patients treated by cryosurgery (the mean treatment period 7.5 weeks), and 66.7% of patients received 5% 5-FU ointment (the mean treatment period 6.9 weeks) were completely cured. No significant side effects were noted in patients who received 5% 5-FU ointment. Conclusion: 5% 5-FU ointment can be used. as appropriate, household and inexpensive" treatment in the management of common warts.

Background: Alopecia areata has a wide range of different clinical presentations. It may present as localized or diffuse hair thinness without hair loss, a small patch of hair loss or may progress to alopecia totalis and universalis. Objectives: Determination of clinical patterns of alopecia areata in Kerman province and to compare the results with other studies in other countries. Patients & Methods: 952 patients with alopecia areata out of 25186 new cases referred to skin clinics in Kerman from June 2000 till June 2002 were evaluated for age, sex, family history of alopecia areata, extent of hair loss and history of infectious diseases. Results: 3.78% of all new cases referred to skin clinics suffered from alopecia areata. The male to female ratio was 2.6 to 1 and the most frequent clinical presentation of alopecia was round to oval type. Hair loss was confined to the scalp in 252 cases(26.5%). 216 cases (22.7%) had body hair loss without scalp alopecia, and 484 patients(50.8%) developed a combination of scalp and body hair loss. The combination pattern was significantly more frequent in the firsJ; three decades of life. Conclusion: Alopecia areata has a relatively high prevalence in Kerman province. It involves both scalp and body in the majority of cases especially in the first three decades of life.

Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection in patients with rosacea is reported from 50 to 90 percent, which suggests the possibility of the role of this organism in pathogenesis of rosacea. Objectives: Evaluation of relationship between H.pylori infection & rosacea. Patients and Methods: In this case-control study, 30 patients referred to skin clinics of Boo-Ali and Loghman Hakim hospitals in Tehran were compared with 30 individuals of similar sex and age who had not rosacea (control group). Serologic tests for H.pylori infection (IgG and IgA), and also urea breath test were done. The results were compared using chi-square test with 95% confidence interval and P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: No significant differences were seen between patients with rosacea and control group in having IgA (60% in case group, 40% in control group), IgG (76.6% in case group, 53.3% in control group) and positive breath test. Conclusion: More extensive research about possible relationship between H. pylori infection and rosacea is recommended.

Nowadays laser is extensively used in various industrial, communicative, medical, and other fields. Using laser in medicine has enabled physicians to perform the most accurate and finest operations within few minutes. Non-observance of safety points during laser performance could be seriously harmful for the medical staff and the patient. Therefore, in order to prevent the possible damage of this electromagnetic energy, some international standard points are advised. In this paper, a brief review of iaser itself, the vulnerable parts during laser operation, maximum allowable radiation and etc are presented. We hope to help the physicians in offering medical services as safe as possible.

Diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma is a rare disorder often seen as a para- neoplastic manifestation accompanied with gammopathics and hematologic disorders. In this report, a 44-year-old man IS presented who was referred to us due to developing erythematous papules on the hands and yellow patches on different parts of the body. Based on cell blood count, peripheral blood smear and positive anti HTL VI, the diagnosis of adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia was suggested which confirmed by the biopsy of the hand lesions. The histopathologic evaluation of yellow lesions also confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse xanthoma.

Although lichen planus and vitiligo are common skin disorders, their association with two other uncommon diseases, i.e. lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, seems to be a very rare occurrence. We report herein a 70-year-old man who developed all of these four skin disorders simultaneousl y.