Detecting the Presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus on Acne Extractor used by Some Beauty Salons in Jatinangor

Background: Over the past few decades, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major cause of nosocomial infection and has recently emerged in the community. Community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) have grown drastically over the years and have mostly manifested as a form of skin infection. The MRSA infection usually occurs in individuals with skin lesions serving as a site of entry for the bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine if MRSA is presence on the acne extractor used by some beauty salons in Jatinangor.Methods: A total of 40 samples were taken from 14 beauty salons in Jatinangor from September to October 2013. The samples were then cultured on mannitol salt agar. The isolated colonies were then gram stained, followed by catalase and coagulase test. The colonies having positive for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were then tested for cefoxitin susceptibility.Results: Overall 3 of the isolates were positive for S. aureus and none were positive for MRSA.Conclusions: Only a small fraction of the isolates are positive for S. aureus and no MRSA is detected.. [AMJ.2017;4(1):64–8]DOI: 10.15850/amj.v4n1.163

Detecting the Presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus on Acne Extractor used by Some Beauty Salons in Jatinangor

Background: Over the past few decades, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major cause of nosocomial infection and has recently emerged in the community. Community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) have grown drastically over the years and have mostly manifested as a form of skin infection. The MRSA infection usually occurs in individuals with skin lesions serving as a site of entry for the bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine if MRSA is presence on the acne extractor used by some beauty salons in Jatinangor.Methods: A total of 40 samples were taken from 14 beauty salons in Jatinangor from September to October 2013. The samples were then cultured on mannitol salt agar. The isolated colonies were then gram stained, followed by catalase and coagulase test. The colonies having positive for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were then tested for cefoxitin susceptibility.Results: Overall 3 of the isolates were positive for S. aureus and none were positive for MRSA.Conclusions: Only a small fraction of the isolates are positive for S. aureus and no MRSA is detected.. [AMJ.2017;4(1):64–8]DOI: 10.15850/amj.v4n1.163

THE BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF 20% SUNFLOWER SEED OIL CREAM ON MILD ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN CHILDREN

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of topical applications of 20% sunflower seed oil (SSO) in decreasing the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index value in mild atopic dermatitis (AD) pediatric patients in Bandung, Indonesia. Methods: This was a randomized study involving 20 children with mild AD (SCORAD<25) in Bandung, Indonesia. They were divided into 2 groups: the experimental group treated with 20% SSO cream and the control group treated with a common moisturizing cream for four weeks. The TEWL score including SCORAD index was evaluated at baseline, week 1, week 2, and week 4. Results: A total of 20 participants completed the study. In the first week, the control group had TEWL score decrement by 36.62% while the experimental group by 28.89% (p=0.88). In the fourth week, the TEWL decrements of the experimental and control group were by 56.94% and 52.50%, respectively (p=0.20), and this was followed by an improvement of SCORAD index in both treatment groups. Conclusion: The 20% SSO cream has a beneficial effect in decreasing the TEWL score and improving SCORAD indices. Therefore, it can be considered as an alternative treatment for mild AD among children

The efficacy of vitamin D3 supplementation in increasing 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in childhood vitiligo patients receiving 308-nm-excimer light phototherapy

Vitamin D deficiency is a condition often found in various autoimmune diseases, including vitiligo. There were clinical improvements in autoimmune patients who had been given oral vitamin D supplementation, as well as vitiligo patients. This study aimed to analyze the comparison effect of a combination therapy of 308-nmexcimer light phototherapy and vitamin D3 supplementation toward 308-nm-excimer light phototherapy alone to increase of serum 25-(OH)D levels in childhood vitiligo patients. Subjects consisted of 16 childhood vitiligo patients that divided into two groups; group I was given a combination of 308-nm-excimer light phototherapy and 5000 IU of vitamin D3 supplement once daily, while group II was given monotherapy of excimer light. There were highly significant increase of 25-(OH)D serum in both groups which were 324.00±119.066% and 29.84±36.106%, respectively. The very significant result was seen in a comparison of average increased of serum 25-(OH)D levels between both groups. The study concluded that combination of 308-nm-excimer light phototherapy and vitamin D3 supplementation gave a better effect than phototherapy only to increase of serum 25- (OH)D levels in childhood vitiligo patients

A clinician's reference guide for the management of atopic dermatitis in Asians

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin condition among Asians. Recent studies have shown that Asian AD has a unique clinical and immunologic phenotype compared with European/American AD. Objective The Asian Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Expert Panel on Atopic Dermatitis developed this reference guide to provide a holistic and evidence-based approach in managing AD among Asians. Methods Electronic searches were performed to retrieve relevant systematic reviews and guidelines on AD. Recommendations were appraised for level of evidence and strength of recommendation based on the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines. These practice points were based on the consensus recommendations discussed during the Asia Pacific Meeting of Experts in Dermatology held in Bali, Indonesia in October 2016 and April 2017. Results The Expert Panel recommends an approach to treatment based on disease severity. The use of moisturizers is recommended across all levels of AD severity, while topical steroids are recommended only for flares not controlled by conventional skin care and moisturizers. Causes of waning efficacy must be explored before using topical corticosteroids of higher potency. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are recommended for patients who have become recalcitrant to steroid, in chronic uninterrupted use, and when there is steroid atrophy, or when there is a need to treat sensitive areas and pediatric patients. Systemic steroids have a limited role in AD treatment and should be avoided if possible. Educational programs that allow a patient-centered approach in AD management are recommended as an adjunct to conventional therapies. Recommendations on the use of phototherapy, systemic drugs, and emerging treatments are also included. Conclusion The management of AD among Asians requires a holistic approach, integrating evidence-based treatments while considering accessibility and cultural acceptability