AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe aims of the study were to investigate the presence of Candidal organisms in oral mucosal lesions, by studying PAS stained cytosmear and histopathological sections of mucosal lesions. The Aim and Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation between presence of Candida organisms and epithelial dysplasia in various oral mucosal lesions associated with areca nut and tobacco use. Materials and Methods:A total of 50 individuals were selected, between age range of 19-70 y. Three separate cytosmears were prepared for each participant. All the slides were stained with PAS stain and the best slide was viewed for candidal organisms. Statistical Tests:The data was analysed using the SPSS version16. Chi square test was performed.

The world is now facing a new unexpected pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is a coronavirus that mainly targets the lungs, a very vital and sensitive organ of the body. Research and healthcare workers are still struggling to contain the disease and eradicate the virus. Before the invention of a vaccine, the virus may take at least several more millions of lives. On top of this, dermatologists are facing numerous challenges because of the regulations put forward by the WHO and local governments. This article discusses in detail various dermatological eruptions caused by the personal protective equipment (PPE) used in combating the disease. This should be an eye-opener for dermatologists worldwide.

Facial melanoses are Group of pigmentary disorders that share a common clinical feature of alteration of pigmentation over the face. These are difficult to treat and affect the DLQI of the patients. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent which has found to efficacious in a difficult to treat facial melanosis like melasma. It targets the vascular and pigment component of melasma providing a rapid and a sustained improvement. Various studies in different doses and routes in different dermatoses are required to elucidate the exact efficacy of the drug. This article highlights the important dermatological aspects of tranexamic acid in detail.

Non-venereal dermatoses include disorders involving genitalia which are not transmitted sexually. They are more likely to be confused with venereal diseases, which leads to diagnostic dilemma to physicians. Patients usually think of that they are suffering from some venereal diseases and can be a major concern to patient. MATERIALS & METHODS: It is a descriptive study of new cases with genital lesions among adults (which includes male patients above age of 18 years and excludes patients below 18 years of age, patients presenting with classical STDs, attending SKIN & STD outpatient clinic of Chettinad hospital and research centre for a period of one year from July 2018 to August 2019. RESULTS: A total of 216 cases with non-venereal genital dermatoses were encountered in our study. Majority of the patients were found in the age group of 26 -35 years [27.8 %]. Scabies was found to be the commonest NVGD, occurring in 56 (22%) patients. Pearly Penile Papule was seen more commonly [15 (7%)], among benign conditions and normal variants. CONCLUSION: All lesions occurring over genitalia are not necessarily sexually transmitted. Many other non-venereal conditions can occur over the genitalia. All clinicians should view and examine these conditions with an open mind and treat with appropriate drugs. Scabies was commonest non venereal genital dermatoses in our study.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical 3% tranexamic acid gel vs 35% glycolic acid peel in the treatment of melasma over face. Materials and Methods: This is an open labelled, Randomised Controlled Trial(RCT) conducted on 60 patients. Patients were randomly divided equally into 2 groups – Group A and Group B. Patients of Group A  used topical 3% tranexamic acid gel twice a day and Group B patients were treated with 35% glycolic acid peel with a contact period of 5 minutes once in every 2 weeks. Patients were assessed every month for a period of 3 months and recurrence was assessed for the next consecutive 3 months following the treatment. Patients were asked to use a broad spectrum sunscreen before sun exposure during the entire study. Assessment of reduction in pigmentation was made by MASI score, subjective and objective valuation (blind observer) and photographic comparison. Safety profile was assessed by the side effects. Results: The mean value of Melasma Area and Severity Index(MASI) score for glycolic acid group at baseline was 14.41 which reduced to 7.05 at end of 3rd month. In tranexamic acid group, the mean value of MASI score at baseline was 14.58 which reduced to 5.96 at the end of 3rd month. The mean percentage of improvement in MASI score in glycolic acid group 52% whereas in tranexamic acid group it is 61%.  The side effects were minimal in this study. Side effects were more in glycolic acid group than tranexamic acid group.  A total of 8 patients had recurrence during follow up. In glycolic acid group, 5 patients had recurrence whereas in tranexamic acid group, only 3 patients had recurrence. The percentage of recurrence in glycolic acid group is 16.7 % whereas in glycolic acid group it is 10.7%. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid is a novel emerging therapy for melasma. In this study it has been found that topical 3% tranexamic acid is equally efficacious as 35% glycolic acid peel with minimal side effects in the treatment of melasma.

Albizia procera commonly known as white siris is a large deciduous tree of the family Mimosideae, widely distributed throughout India. Traditionally the plant is used in convulsions, pain, delirium, cancer and septicemia. The decoction of bark is given for rheumatism, hemorrhage and is considered useful in treating pregnancy problems, for stomach ache and sinus.The preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of Albizia procera shows the presence of active constituents like flavonoids, phenolic compounds and tannins. Earlier studies show the flavonoids and phenolic compounds play major role in antitubercular activity. Based on this, we made an attempt to evaluate the antitubercular potential of this plant. The ethanolic extract and its fractions (Hexane and Ethyl acetate) were investigated for antitubercular activity using Alamar Blue dye method (MABA), in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis was sensitive upto 3.12μg/ml.The extract and fractions show better anti tubercular activity than streptomycin and potentially equal to pyrazinamide and ciprofloxacin. The observed activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compound which is confirmed by HPTLC. This investigation on stem bark of Albizia procera has the potential to be developed further into a natural Anti-TB drug.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune mediated papulosquamous disorder causing disfiguring changes in skin hair and nails.Methotrexate is a time tested drug in the treatment of psoriasis for decades but there are only fewer studies available regarding the efficacy and safety of apremilast. Hence this study is done to compare the both in terms of safety and efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis open labelled clinical study was conducted in the Dermatology department of a tertiary care hospital for a period of 1 year. Forty patients above 18 years of age with chronic plaque psoriasis involving >10% BSA were included in the study after taking the informed consent. RESULTSAt the end of 12 weeks, patients treated with Apremilast showed 92.64% improvement in their baseline PASI score compared to 88.26% improvement shown by the Methotrexate group patients. Apremilast is a better drug with good efficacy and safety profile which does not warrant regular monitoring of blood parameters in patients requiring long term systemic therapy.

Acne necrotica is a condition characterized by the repeated appearance of inammatory papules and papulo-pustules which are prone for rapid necrotization leading to varying degree of varioliform scars. In this article we report a case of acne necrotica along with a review of literature.