Background:Patients with adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) are frequently referred from primary care to tertiary centres for further management. This causes a loss of information regarding ACDRs as these patients discontinue primary care follow-up upon referral to tertiary care. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of ACDR, and to use this valuable information to enhance awareness of primary care physicians regarding this condition. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study on ACDR was done at the Dermatology Clinic, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2010. Results: The prevalence of ACDR was 0.2%. The majority of patients (71.6%) were below 59 years of age. ACDR commonly (55.2%) occurs within hours to days of drug ingestion and is of mild to moderate severity (74.6%). About 27.6% of affected patients took 1 to 5 drugs concurrently. Common cutaneous manifestation of ACDR includes maculopapular rash (22.4%) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS, 9.7%). Antibiotics (36.6%), traditional and complementary medicine (TCM, 17.9%) and analgesics (13.4%) were the most frequent agents responsible for ACDR. Conclusion:The prevalence of ACDR in this study is low and the majority were of mild to moderate severity. The most common cutaneous manifestation was a maculopapular reaction and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Antibiotics were the commonest causative agent for ACDR followed by traditional and complementary medicine and analgesics. Patients presenting with cutaneous disorders in primary care should be assessed for possible ACDR. A detailed drug history, time of initiation and duration of drug consumption are all valuable information required for an accurate diagnosis and proper evaluation of ACDR. It is hoped that the findings of this study will facilitate early recognition of ACDR followed by identification and elimination of any possible offending drugs that may be prescribed in primary care practice.

Topical antiseptics are commonly used in the management of minor wounds, burns, and infected skin. These agents are widely used by health professionals and are often self-prescribed by patients as they are easily available over-the-counter. This case illustrates a 73 year old man who presented with a non-healing wound on his right forearm for 4 weeks. The wound started from an insect bite and progressively enlarged with increasing pruritus and burning sensation. Clinically an ill-defined ulcer with surrounding erythema and erosion was noted. There was a yellow crust overlying the center of the ulcer and the periphery was scaly. Further inquiry revealed history of self treatment with a yellow solution to clean his wound for 3 weeks. Patient was provisionally diagnosed to have allergic contact dermatitis secondary to acriflavine. Topical acriflavine was stopped and the ulcer resolved after treatment with non-occlusive saline dressing. Skin patch test which is the gold standard for detection and confirmation of contact dermatitis showed a positive reaction (2+) to acriflavine. Acriflavine is widely used as a topical antiseptic agent in this part of the world. Hence, primary care physicians managing a large variety of poorly healing wounds should consider the possibility of contact allergy in recalcitrant cases, not responding to conventional treatment. Patient education is an important aspect of management as this would help curb the incidence of future contact allergies.

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Cat flea bite in humans results in extremely pruritic skin lesions. It has been reported to occur among those living in domiciliary accommodation. However, nosocomial infestation with cat flea has not been reported. We hereby report a case of nosocomial infestation of cat flea in a hospital facility. Identification of the parasite, its appropriate eradication, and adequate medical management of the patients resulted in a satisfactory outcome.

Linked Comment: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2011.02889.x.

Terdapat peningkatan bilangan orang yang hidup dengan HIV dan AIDS terutama dalam kumpulan usia muda. Ini akan memberi impak besar apabila mereka inginkan cahaya mata. Perancangan proses mengandung di kalangan pasangan yang berlainan status HIV (serodiscordant) adalah rumit terutama dalam isu mengurangkan risiko penularan penyakit. Kami melaporkan kes seorang lelaki HIV positif dan isteri beliau (HIV negatif) yang berjaya mengadung dan melahirkan anak yang sihat tanpa penyebaran penyakit HIV kepada ibu atau anak. Pasangan ini telah diuruskan dengan rawatan di mana pasangan lelaki HIV positif dirawat dengan HAART manakala pasangan wanita yang HIV negatif menerima rawatan dengan PrEP. Konsepsi berjaya dicapai melalui teknik IUI. Perancang untuk konsepsi, rawatan dengan ubatan dan pilihan cara konsepi adalah antara isu penting yang akan dibincangkan secara terperinci.

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