Itraconazole (ITR) is a potent antifungal drug. However, poor aqueous solubility limits its permeation ability across the human nail plate. Therefore, in this project, ITR was converted to hydrochloride salt (ITR-HCl) to improve its solubility and to render it amenable to iontophoresis. ITR-HCl was characterized by spectroscopic methods and antifungal efficacy was evaluated in comparison to the base. In vitro and ex vivo transport studies (passive and iontophoresis) were carried out across the porcine hoof membrane and excised human cadaver toe using two different protocols; continuous delivery of drug for 24 h and pulsed delivery of drug for 3 days (8 h/day). The antifungal efficacy of ITR-HCL was comparable to ITR. Iontophoresis was found to be more effective than passive mode of delivery of ITR-HCL. In both iontophoresis as well as passive mode of delivery, the pulsed protocol resulted in more ungual and trans-ungual delivery of drug than continuous protocol. ITR-HCL could be delivered into and across the nail plate by iontophoresis. Human cadaver toe appears to be a good model to investigate the ungual delivery of drugs.
Sclerotherapy is a simple, safe and effective procedure for the treatment of varicose veins and its dermatological complications. The procedure is particularly effective for smaller, early varicosities and also for residual veins after surgery. Hence we recommend more and more of our fellow dermatologists to take up this procedure, which can be an efficient tool to manage patients with varicose veins and its related complications.
Title:Secukinumab efficacy and safety in Indian patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: sub-analysis from FIXTURE (Full Year Investigative Examination of Secukinumab vs. Etanercept Using Two Dosing Regimens to Determine Efficacy in Psoriasis), a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study.Background:Evidence has suggested Interleukin (IL)-17A to be an important effector cytokine in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Here, we report results for an Indian sub-population from a multinational study FIXTURE, designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and long-term efficacy of fully human anti–IL-17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.Materials and Methods:In this double-dummy, placebo controlled, 52-weeks phase 3 study FIXTURE, 149 Indian patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive secukinumab at a dose of 300 mg or 150 mg, etanercept, or placebo. The study objective was to show the superiority of secukinumab over placebo at week 12, vis-à-vis proportion of patients achieving a reduction of 75% or more from the baseline in the psoriasis area-and-severity index score (PASI 75) and a score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) on a 5-point modified investigator's global assessment (IGA mod 2011) (co-primary end points).Results:At week 12, 61.0% and 55.9% patients in secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg groups, respectively, achieved PASI 75 response compared to 20.0% in the etanercept and 7.1% in the placebo groups. Similarly, IGA mod 2011 0 or 1 response was achieved by 43.9% and 20.6% in patients in the secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg group, respectively, vs. 13.3% in the etanercept and 2.4% in the placebo groups at week 12. Likewise, higher proportions of patients in secukinumab 300 mg (41.5%) and 150 mg (20.6%) group were PASI 90 responders at week 12 than those in the etanercept (10.0%) or placebo (0.0%) groups. The incidences of adverse events (AEs), during the induction period were similar in all the treatment groups. Overall secukinumab was well-tolerated at both doses in the Indian sub-population.Conclusion:The results from the Indian sub-population suggest that secukinumab is an efficacious and safe drug for use in moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a less frequently seen disease that occurs post solid organ or bone marrow transplantation. Chronic GVHD occurring post blood transfusion is an even more uncommon disease. It can present either as a lichenoid disease or as a sclerodermatous disease involving multiple systems. In this article, we report a case of chronic graft versus host reaction occurring in skin secondary to blood transfusion.
from 2 years. The child had recurrent respiratory infections. He had delayed developmental milestones with growth retardation.On physical examination, the vitals were normal and his height and weight were below 3 rd percentile. Cutaneous examination revealed diffuse erythema and thick broad adherent scaling all over the body [ Figures 1 and 2]. Scalp hair was sparse, brittle, and lusterless. Eyebrows and eyelashes were also sparse. Bilateral ectropion was present [ Figure 2]. Nails showed longitudinal ridges with dystrophy. Systemic examination was normal.The findings of the investigations were as follows. Complete hemogram showed eosinophilia and neutrophilia. Serum albumin was decreased. Serum IgE levels were increased fourfold. Skin biopsy showed focal parakeratosis, with Munro's microabscesses in the stratum corneum. There was moderate psoriasiform elongation of the rete ridges with spongioform pustules in the upper layers of epidermis. Dermis showed moderate lymphohistiocytic infiltrate [ Figure 3]. Light microscopy of hair shaft revealed trichorrhexis nodosa [ Figure 4]. Though histopathology changes showed spongioform pustules and Munro's microabscesses in the epidermis, characteristic of psoriasis, in view of the above features like infantile ABSTRACT Netherton syndrome is a rare symptom complex characterized by an ichthyotic skin disorder, greatly elevated IgE levels with atopic manifestations, and characteristic hair shaft abnormalities. We report a 2-year-old male child, who presented with erythroderma, increased serum IgE levels, and trichorrhexis nodosa which can be easily misdiagnosed as psoriatic erythroderma.
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