Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course of various cutaneous and systemic conditions. It is one of the common, extremely annoying symptom for which patients attend the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD). Anogenital skin is highly sensitive to soaps, perfumes, clothing and superficial trauma and it is more prone for itchy dermatoses as a result of warmth, friction, lack of aeration, sweating and occlusive inner garments. Anogenital pruritus is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases which includes localized infections, infestations, inflammatory dermatoses, allergic and irritant conditions, anorectal diseases, systemic causes, nutritional disorders, psychological and when the cause cannot be found out it is often termed idiopathic. Patients are highly reluctant in consulting the physician for anogenital itch in the early stage, they usually present at a later stage with either atypical manifestations or depigmentation and lichenification, secondary to constant scratching. They often resort to over the counter topical agents, particularly combination products which contain topical steroids. The irrational use of such products results in complications like skin atrophy, striae, incognito etc. A proper clinical history, clinical examination, investigations like scrapping for fungus and itch mite, skin biopsy, patch test and relevant blood investigations to rule out systemic conditions should be carried out, when needed, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, before treating the patient.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> In India the estimated men who have sex with men (MSM) population is around 352, 000, among that 4.3% are living with HIV. The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in MSM is greater than that reported in women and men who have sex with women only. The aim of the study is to determine the trends of sexual behaviour and the pattern of sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective study of the data collected from the clinical records of all MSM, who had attended the STI clinic of Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, during the three-year study period, from July 2016 to June 2019. Demographic data, sexual risk behaviour, condom usage and STIs, among the MSM, were computed and analyzed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> During the study period 489 MSM attended the STI clinic, 51.9% were bisexual and 48.1 % were homosexual. Among them, exclusive penetrative sex in 50.7%, exclusive receptive sex in 15.7% and both in 33.6% were reported. Condom usage was consistent in 18.8%, inconsistent in 28.8% and 52.9% never used condom. Unprotected sex is more common in oral sex than with anal sex. STIs were seen in 20.9% and HIV in 1.4% of MSM. Syphilis was the most common STI seen.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study elucidated the high prevalence of STIs among MSM and increasing trends of sexual risk behaviour. Health service providers must take necessary steps to improve the provision of biological and medical measures to screen, treat and prevent infections.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

BACKGROUNDMucocutaneous manifestations occur in more than 90% of HIV infected patients. These manifestations are an early indicator of the presence of HIV infection and also aids in the clinical staging and prognosis as it reflects the underlying immune status.

BACKGROUNDCandidal balanoposthitis is a known clinical marker and most of the time it may be the presenting feature of diabetes mellitus. It is the most common condition in uncircumcised male patients attending the sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic in recent times as there is a decline in the tropical sexually transmitted infections.The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of candidal balanoposthitis in patients attending the STI clinic of a tertiary care centre. MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective chart review of the data collected from the clinical records of all patients with candidal balanoposthitis who had attended the STI clinic of Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, during the one year period from January 2015 to December 2015 was carried out. Demographic and clinical data were analysed. RESULTSThe total number of patients with candidal balanoposthitis were 108 (16.39%) among the total 659 male patients who attended the STI clinic during the study period. Among those, newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus were 47 (43.52%) and known diabetes mellitus were 51 (47.22%) patients. The common age group was 31 to 40 years (44.44%). It commonly presents as preputial fissuring in young sexually active patients and glazed erythema with subpreputial discharge in sexually inactive older patients. CONCLUSIONCandidal balanoposthitis is the most common condition in male patients attending the STI clinic. As it serves as a dependable cutaneous marker of diabetes mellitus, screening for diabetes should be done in all patients with balanoposthitis as it would help in the early diagnosis and management thereby decreasing the morbidity and improve the quality of life in them.

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