The first estimates of the seroincidence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and of the risk factors for seroconversion in a cohort of high-risk patients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in India are reported. Between 1993 and 1995, 851 HIV-1-seronegative persons were evaluated prospectively every 3 months for HIV infection and biologic and behavioral characteristics. The overall incidence of HIV-1 was 10.2/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 7.9-13.1). The incidence among commercial sex workers (CSWs) was 26.1/100 person-years, compared with 8.4 among non-CSWs. Recurrent genital ulcer disease and urethritis or cervicitis during the follow-up period were independently associated with a 7- (P < .001) and 3-fold (P = .06) increased risk of HIV-1 seroconversion, respectively. Because of the association of recurrent ulcerative and nonulcerative STDs with HIV-1 seroconversion in this setting, behavioral and biologic measures directed at the prevention and control of STDs would be expected to greatly reduce the transmission of HIV-1 infection in similar high-risk groups.

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Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic recurrent infective granulomatous disease of man and animals. It is endemic in India and Sri Lanka. Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic disease commonly involving the nose and nasopharynx. Cutaneous lesions, although rare, can occur due to autoinoculation or due to hematogenous spread. However, disseminated cutaneous lesions presenting as tumor-like swellings are rare. We report here a 48-year-old immunocompetent patient who had disseminated painless cutaneous tumor-like swellings over both the upper limbs, abdomen, left buttock and calf since 10 months, gradually increasing in size. On inquiring, the patient gave history of excisions and electrocauterization of subglottic and nasal polyps. Histopathological examination of these lesions was suggestive of rhinosporidiosis. The general and systemic examinations of the patient did not reveal any abnormality.

Hemangiomas are indolent birthmarks of vascular origin, which are known to appear soon after birth, proliferate for 8-18 months, and then slowly regress over the next 5-8 years, leaving behind normal or slightly blemished skin. In rare instances, hemangiomas may encroach upon and endanger vital structures with a mortality of up to 60%. Multiple therapeutic modalities are available for hemangiomas with variable results and associated with side effects. We report two cases of hemangioma, successfully treated with propranolol. Case 1 was a 5-month-old female child who presented with a giant segmental hemangioma since birth. She was unable to open her left eye over the past 7 days. Within 48 hours of administering full dose of oral propranolol (2 mg/kg/day), the lesion decreased considerably, and the patient was able to open her eye. Case 2 was a 1-year-old female child who presented with hemangioma over the danger area of face. Oral propranolol was given for a period of 6 months with monthly follow up. Both the cases showed dramatic response, with more than 80% regression, without any relapse after stopping the treatment.

Mudi-chood is an unusual dermatosis seen in India. It affects the nape of the neck and the exposed part of the upper back in girls and young women. It is characterized by mildly pruritic pigmented papular lesions. It probably represents the comedogenic activity of various oils applied to the hair, which is aggravated by the typical climatic conditions. We present three cases of mudi-chood.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Platelet rich plasma (PRP) helps tissue re-modulation by its growth factors (GFs)– platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), insulin-like growth factor (IGF). These GFs aid healing by attracting undifferentiated stem cells into newly formed matrix and triggering cell division; by promoting capillary growth and by attracting macrophages to improve tissue healing and regeneration.<strong> </strong>The aims and objectives of the study were to assess reduction in wound size of chronic non-healing ulcers by autologous platelet rich plasma and to evaluate the safety of autologous platelet rich plasma in treatment of chronic non healing ulcers.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was an experimental study conducted on ten patients of chronic non-healing ulcers of varied etiology. Autologous PRP was freshly prepared using 10 ml of patient’s own blood by differential centrifugation process and injected at the margins and base of each ulcer. Four such sittings were administered at weekly intervals for four weeks with a post-treatment follow-up period of one month. Total duration of our study was 8 weeks. Objective assessment of ulcer size was done using centimetre scale and documented by digital photographs.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> While 40% of chronic ulcers healed completely, the remaining 60% cases showed signs of healing at the end of 8 weeks. Mean improvement in ulcer size was 69.38% over a period of 8 weeks. No side effect was encountered in any of our cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Platelet rich plasma hastened the healing process of chronic non-healing ulcers. Being autologous, it has rare chances of hypersensitivity reactions. </p>

Background:Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSI) are commonly encountered community-acquired infections and are typically confined to the superficial layers of the skin. Hence, they seldom lead to the destruction of skin structures.Aims:To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of cefditoren pivoxil in uSSSI in Indian patients.Methods:One hundred and seventy-eight patients diagnosed with uncomplicated SSSI were enrolled in this randomized, comparative, multicentric study. Patients received either cefditoren pivoxil or cefdinir for ten days. Efficacy was assessed both clinically and microbiologically. Safety evaluation consisted of reporting of type, frequency, severity, and causal relationship of adverse events.Results:One hundred and fifty-one patients completed the study. Clinical and bacteriological efficacy of cefditoren pivoxil was comparable to that of cefdinir in the treatment of uSSSI. One hundred and five patients were eligible for per protocol (PP) analysis of bacteriological outcome and clinical efficacy. Clinical cure or improvement was achieved in 98.00% patients treated with cefditoren pivoxil and 98.18% patients treated with cefdinir. In the modified Intent to Treat (mITT) patient population, clinical cure or improvement was recorded in 97.33% patients treated with cefditoren pivoxil and 96.20% patients treated with cefdinir. Microbiological eradication (or presumed eradication) was recorded in 88.00% patients treated with cefditoren pivoxil and 94.55% patients treated with cefdinir. The above differences in the outcome rates between the two drugs were not statistically significant. Six adverse events (AEs) (two in cefditoren group and four in cefdinir group) were reported in this study.Conclusion:Cefditoren pivoxil 200 mg b.i.d. was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of uSSSI.