Immunomodulatory Effect of Methotrexate Abruptly Controls Keratinocyte Activation in Psoriasis

In psoriatic skin, epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) undergo deregulated inflammatory response that leads to prolonged expression of inflammatory mediators as well as abnormal keratins. Due to immune and genetic factors, KCs get activated and cell balance gets disturbed. This activation is mainly due to deregulated inflammatory response. A vicious cycle of KC-immune response called KC activation cycle leads to psoriasis. In psoriatic skin, epidermal KCs undergo deregulated inflammatory response that leads to prolonged expression of inflammatory mediators as well as abnormal keratins. Methotrexate (MTX) an immunosuppressive agent has been used as a standard drug to treat severe psoriasis. Acanthosis and abnormal terminal differentiation was mainly due to the mutation in epidermal keratins. In turn, disease severity and relapsing of psoriasis are mainly due to the mutation of hyperproliferative keratins. These novel keratin mutations in psoriatic epidermis might be one of the causative factors for psoriasis. MTX strongly regulates the KC activation cycle by deregulated inflammatory markers and maintains normal keratin phenotype on hyperproliferating KC, thereby controlling acanthosis in psoriasis patients

Decrease in "Hamilton rating scale for depression" following isotretinoin therapy in acne: An open-label prospective study

Background: Acne is a common disorder among adolescents and young adults causing a considerable psychological impact including anxiety and depression. Isotretinoin, a synthetic oral retinoid is very effective in the treatment of moderate to severe acne. But there have been many reports linking isotretinoin to depression and suicide though no clear proof of association has been established so far. Objective: To determine whether oral isotretinoin increases the risk of depression in patients with moderate to severe acne. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty patients with moderate to severe acne were treated with oral isotretinoin 0.5 mg/kg/day for a period of 3 months. Their acne and depression scoring was done at baseline and then every month for the first 3 months and then at 6 months. Results: We found that the acne scoring reduced from 3.11 ± 0.49 to 0.65 ± 0.62 (P = < 0.001) at the end of 3 months. Also, the depression scoring decreased significantly from 3.89 ± 4.9 at the beginning of study to 0.45 ± 1.12 (P < 0.001) at the end of 3 months. Both the acne and depression scores continued to remain low at the end of 6 months at 0.5 ± 0.52 (P = < 0.001) and 0.18 ± 0.51 (P = < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Our study proves that oral isotretinoin causes significant clearance of acne lesions. It causes significant reduction in depression scores and is not associated with an increased incidence of depression or suicidal tendencies

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of propylthiouracil in psoriasis: An open-label study

Background: Psoriasis is a common hyperproliferative disorder of the skin associated with significant morbidity. Most of the drugs used in psoriasis provide only a temporary relief, whereas they are riddled with potential toxicities and cost concerns. Hence, there is a constant need to explore newer, effective, orally administered, and cost-effective drugs with minimal adverse effects. In this scenario, propylthiouracil (PTU), an antithyroid thioureylene has been shown to be effective in psoriasis which satisfies the above criteria. Aim: The objective of our study is to assess the clinical efficacy of PTU in psoriasis. Methods: A total of 25 patients with plaque psoriasis were treated with oral PTU for 12 weeks. Clinical response was assessed using the "Psoriasis Area and Severity Index" (PASI) score. Routine blood analyses and thyroid function tests were carried out periodically during the study. Results: Oral PTU produced significant clearing of lesions at 6 weeks and 12 weeks of the study period in all patients, as demonstrated by the reduction in PASI scores (33.9% in 6 weeks and 74.1% reduction in 12 weeks). Four patients experienced near complete clearing of the lesions. One patient developed mild elevation of liver enzymes which reversed on withdrawal of PTU. None of the patients had hypothyroidism or cytopenias. Conclusion: PTU significantly clears the lesions in psoriasis with minimal adverse effects. Hence, it can be considered as a therapeutic option in psoriasis, especially when the standard drugs cannot be used due to their toxicities or forbidding cost

Secondary lymphangioma of vulva: A report of two cases

Secondary lymphangiomas or acquired lymphangiomas of vulva represent dilatation of upper dermal lymphatics following damage to previously normal deep lymphatics. They have been reported to occur following various infections, surgeries and radiotherapy which can cause damage to deep lymphatics.Treatment options in the management of secondary lymphangiomas include surgical resection, carbon dioxide laser vaporisation, sclerosing agents etc. We report two cases of secondary lymphangioma of vulva that followed radiotherapy for carcinoma of cervix. Both the patients were treated successfully by surgery

Abrikossoff′s tumor: An unusual presentation

Abrikossoff′s tumor or granular cell tumor is an infrequent benign neoplasm, first described by the Russian pathologist Abrikossoff in 1926. The neoplasm can affect all parts of the body with head and neck areas affected in 45-65% of patients. More than half of the head and neck lesions are localized to the oral cavity, especially the tongue. An aggressive malignant form of granular cell myoblastoma that metastasizes is rare. The treatment of choice of Abrikossoff′s tumor is local surgical excision with a wide margin. Here, we present a case of Abrikossoff′s tumor, occurring in the upper arm, presenting as a panniculitis-like lesion

Squamous cell carcinoma of penis with bullous pemphigoid masquerading as lymphogranuloma venereum

We report a case of a 60-year old unmarried male who presented with multiple ulcers and foul smelling discharge from the groin since 4 months and multiple tense bullae over the trunk of 1 month duration. Groove sign was present. Investigations for lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and other sexually transmitted diseases were negative. Histopathology from the ulcer in the groin and growth in the penis revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Skin biopsy of bulla was diagnostic of bullous pemphigoid (BP). We report a rare case of SCC masquerading as LGV with BP occurring as a paraneoplastic phenomenon

Woolly Hair Nevus: A Rare Entity

Woolly hair nevus is a rare non-hereditary focal condition characterized by unruly and tightly coiled hair. It can appear in childhood or adolescence and may be associated with epidermal or melanocytic nevus. Patients presenting with woolly hair must be examined completely to rule out cardiofaciocutaneous and Noonan syndrome