Background:Dermatophytoses refer to superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues caused by keratinophilic dermatophytes. According to observations worldwide, dermatophytoses are the most common of the superficial fungal infections. It is common in tropics and may present in epidemic proportions in areas with high rates of humidity. Although common, the precise size of the problem defies measurement.Aims:The present study was undertaken to assess the clinical profile of dermatophytic infection and to identify the species of fungi that are prevalent in this region.Materials and Methods:A total of 100 patients clinically suspected for dermatophytoses were selected for the study. Direct microscopy in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and culture was done in each case.Results:Out of 100 patients, the maximum were seen in the age groups of 16-30 years. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical type (44.3%) followed by tinea cruris (38.2%). Overall positivity by culture was 39% and by direct microscopy 96%.Conclusion:Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant species isolated (67.5%) in all clinical types followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Culturing the fungus may identify the species, but it is not essential for the diagnosis as it is not a sensitive test.

Background:Erythroderma is a morphological reaction pattern of skin having many underlying causes and finding the etiology helps in the proper management of erythroderma cases.Aim:To evaluate the clinical profile, etiology of erythroderma and to correlate clinical diagnosis with histopathology.Materials and Methods:This study was performed at the department of dermatology, Father Muller Medical College and Hospital, Mangalore, South India. We studied 30 consecutive cases of erythroderma with respect to the epidemiological, clinical and histological data. Clinico-histological correlation was analyzed for etiology of erythroderma.Results:The mean age of onset was 52.3 years with a male to female ratio of 14:1. In addition to erythroderma, other co-existent features included pruritus, fever, lymphadenopathy, and edema. Of the pre-existing dermatoses, psoriasis was the most common (33.3%) disease followed by eczema (20%), atopic dermatitis (6.6%), pityriasis rubra pilaris (3.3%) and drug-induced erythroderma (16.6%). In 16.6% of cases, etiology could not be ascertained. Clinico-histopathological correlation could be established in 73.3% of cases.Conclusion:Clinical features were identical irrespective of etiology. Detailed clinico-histopathological examination helps to establish the etiology of erythroderma.

PG is a rare disease in India, but paediatric PG cases were relatively common. Ulcerative PG was the commonest type, and over half of the patients had associated systemic diseases. There were a significant number of patients with associated systemic disease who had a positive pathergy test.

Background:Chikungunya fever (CF) epidemic has recently re-emerged in India affecting large population. Mucocutaneous manifestations are an important clinical feature of the disease. We have reviewed mucocutaneous manifestations of the disease during a recent epidemic in coastal Karnataka.Patients and MethodsSeventy-five “suspect cases” of CF with dermatological manifestations were examined.Results:We categorized the mucocutaneous manifestation into six groups: 1. skin rash, 2. apthae like ulcers, 3. pigmentary changes, 4. desquamation, 5. exacerbation of the existing dermatoses, 6. miscellaneous. Skin rashes were the most commonly observed skin changes followed by apthae like ulcers and pigmentary changes. Desquamation of the skin over the face is a new manifestation observed by us.Conclusion:wide spectrum of mucocutaneous manifestations is observed in CF. We have provided a classification for these manifestations, which may help in better recognition and uniform recording in future.

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