Leishmaniasis is broadly classified into three types i.e. cutaneous, muco-cutaneous and visceral. Visceral form is most dangerous and can result in death. Although an old disease, treatment of leishmaniasis is still challenging. Several drugs differing in the cost, toxicity, duration of treatment, and emergence of drug resistance are used for different types of leishmaniasis. In order to overcome these limitations, search for newer drugs, other modalities and options boost the immune system continues. In this article, we discussed conventional drugs other modalities and newer options like immunotherapy, immunochemotherapy and future prospective in leishmaniasis treatment.

Background : Melasma is a common acquired cause of facial hyperpigmentation with no definitive therapy. Tranexamic acid, a plasmin inhibitor, has demonstrated depigmenting properties and combining this oral drug with other modalities of treatment has shown promising results. Objectives : To compare the efficacy of a combination of oral tranexamic acid and fluocinolone-based triple combination cream with that of fluocinolone-based triple combination cream alone in melasma among Indian patients. Materials and Methods : 40 patients of melasma of either sex attending to dermatology OPD were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups with 20 patients in each group. Group A patients were asked to apply the cream only and Group B patients received oral tranexamic acid 250 mg twice daily and applied a triple combination cream containing fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, tretinoin 0.05%, and hydroquinone 2% once daily for 8 weeks. Response was evaluated using melasma area severity index (MASI) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Results : 40 patients completed the study. The MASI scores at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks in group A were 15.425 + 1.09, 11.075 + 9.167 and 6.995 + 6.056 respectively and in group B 18.243 + 1.05, 6.135 + 4.94 and 2.19 + 3.38. Intergroup comparison showed a faster reduction in pigmentation in Group B as compared to Group A and the results were statistically significant at 4 weeks (P value 0.014) and 8 weeks (P value 0.000). The efficacy was maintained throughout the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: Addition of oral tranexamic acid to fluocinolone-based triple combination cream results in a faster and sustained improvement in the treatment of melasma.

Botryomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative bacterial infection of skin and viscera mostly reported in immunocompromised adults. Most of published literature on botryomycosis are case reports. Though morphological presentation of cutaneous botryomycosis has been described as nodules, sinus, abscesses, and ulcers discharging seropurulent exudates, sequential evolution of lesions is not clear. We report a series of three cases of cutaneous botryomycosis in immunocompetent patients (one child and two adults). Two cases had localized lesion, while adult male had lesions in a sporotrichoid distribution. In all cases the lesions evolved in the form of appearance of subcutaneous swelling which later on developed multiple nodules and papules on surface which either developed erosion, ulceration or sinus on surface associated with seropurulent discharge. The organisms isolated from discharge and tissue culture were coagulase negative staphylococcus and methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus. All cases were treated with monotherapy of sensitive systemic antibiotic. Two patients fully recovered and one lost to follow-up in the middle of therapy.

Gout is a metabolic disease that occurs either because of increased uric acid production or decreased uric acid secretion. It most commonly affects middle-aged to elderly men and postmenopausal women. Chronic tophaceous gout frequently occurs after 10 years or more of recurrent polyarticular gout. Gouty tophi are deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in and around joints as well as soft tissues. We present a case of chronic tophaceous gout in a 21-year-old male, which occurred after 4 years of onset of gouty arthritis. The patient presented with tophaceous gout in four forms, that is, periarticular subcutaneous tophi, disseminated intradermal tophi, ulcerative form, and miliarial tophi along with multiple sinuses discharging chalky white material. The case was diagnosed as chronic tophaceous gout on the basis of raised serum uric acid, imprint smear showing needle-shaped crystals and negatively birefringent crystals on polarized microscopy. The case is interesting for varied morphological forms of tophaceous gout in a patient at an early age and shorter interval between onset of gouty arthritis and tophaceous gout.

Ing to the physician. We came across a 15-month-old girl child, who had consulted various specialists for episodes of blister followed by erosions on body since 6 months of age. Dermatological examination revealed blisters and healed leaf-shaped scars of different sizes which were suggestive of scalds. Smell of different varieties of oils, dribbling of hot oil from body at various intervals, and mother being the first to notice appearance of new skin lesions in all past episodes lead to suspicion of cutaneous MSBP with mother being the culprit. The family members were counselled regarding nature and course of the condition, mother was started on psychotropics, and the child was rescued from mother along with symptomatic treatment of the skin lesions....

Indian Dermatol Online J, Official publication of IADVL