9 research outputs found
Vitiligo: A part of a systemic autoimmune process
Background : Recent clinical and animal experimental studies postulate
that the pathogenetic mechanisms of vitiligo could be of systemic
origin as vitiligo is associated with ocular and auditory abnormalities
as well as other autoimmune disorders.Hence, we studied genetic
factors, systemic associations, ocular and auditory abnormalities of
vitiligo. Methods: The study group included 150 new cases of various
types of vitiligo. One hundred age- and sex-matched nonvitiligo cases
were included as controls in the study. A complete family history was
taken for all patients. Examination was carried out taking note of the
type of vitiligo and approximate percentage of body surface involved.
All relevant laboratory investigations, a thorough audiological
examination including pure tone audiometry and a complete
ophthalmologic examination were carried out in all patients and
controls. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi square test.
Results: Fifty-four vitiligo patients (36%) had a family history of
vitiligo. Anemia was present in 30 (20%) vitiligo patients but only in
five (5%) controls, a difference that was statistically significant
(χ 2 = 15.8, P < 0.001). Diabetes mellitus was present in 24
(16%) vitiligo patients and only 2 (2%) of controls (Chi square,
χ2 = 12.4, P < 0.001). Hypothyroidism and alopecia areata were
present in 18 (12%) and 11 (7.4%) vitiligo patients respectively and
none of the controls. Hypoacusis was seen in 30 (20%) vitiligo patients
and two (2%) controls (χ2 = 8.19, P < 0.005). Twenty-four
vitiligo patients (16%) and five controls (5%) had specific ocular
abnormalities like uveitis, iris and retinal pigmentary abnormalities
(c2 = 7.39, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates
statistically significant clinical evidence confirming that vitiligo is
a part of systemic autoimmune process
Studies - An outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in a non-endemic district - Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
BACKGROUND: Anthrax is a disease of herbivorous animals, and humans
incidentally acquire the disease by handling infected dead animals and
their products. Sporadic cases of human anthrax have been reported from
Southern India. METHODS: Five tribal men presented with painless
ulcers with vesiculation and edema of the surrounding skin on the
extremities without any constitutional symptoms. There was a history of
slaughtering and consumption of a dead goat ten days prior to the
development of skin lesions. Clinically cutaneous anthrax was suspected
and smears, swabs and punch biopsies were taken for culture and
identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All the cases were
treated with intravenous followed by oral antibiotics. Appropriate
health authorities were alerted and proper control measures were
employed. RESULTS: Smears from the cutaneous lesions of all five
patients were positive for Bacillus anthracis and this was confirmed
by a positive culture and PCR of the smears in four of the five cases.
All the cases responded to antibiotics. CONCLUSION: We report five
cases of cutaneous anthrax in a non-endemic district, Visakhapatnam,
Andhra Pradesh, for the first time
Study of Oxidative Stress in Vitiligo
Vitiligo is an idiopathic, acquired, circumscribed, hypomelanotic skin disorder, characterized by milky white patches of different sizes and shapes. It is due to the destruction of melanocytes resulting in the absence of pigment production of the skin and mucosal surfaces. Oxidative stress has been implicated in pathophysiology of vitiligo. To study the activity of blood Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in vitiligo patients. A case–control study was conducted in which 100 patients were enrolled after written consent. 50 cases were of active vitiligo and 50 served as control (25 healthy control and 25 with stable vitiligo). SOD—In our study, among the active vitiligo cases 90% had high level of SOD and 10% had normal level of SOD. Among the stable vitiligo controls, 92% had normal level of SOD and 8% had low levels of SOD.The difference between active vitiligo cases and stable vitiligo control as well as with healthy control was statistically significant (P value < 0.05). GPx—Among the active vitiligo cases 74% had normal GPx levels, 22% had low and only 4% had high levels of GPx. Among the stable vitiligo controls, 64% had normal GPx levels, 16% had low, and 20% had high levels of GPx. The difference between active vitiligo cases and stable vitiligo control as well as with healthy control was statistically not significant (P value > 0.05). Our study shows that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of vitiligo, as indicated by the high levels of serum superoxide dismutase activity