Journal of Skin and Stem Cell
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Jun 2021

 Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and STIs are linked in their similar mode of transmission, with STIs facilitating the acquisition and transmission of HIV. The prevalence pattern of individual STIs may evolve over time necessitating a corresponding change in management strategies.

 The study was conducted to determine the burden and any change in the etiological trend among attendees of an STIs clinic at a tertiary care hospital.

 This retrospective study analyzed data retrieved from consecutive patients attending an STIs clinic over two years (July 2018 to July 2020).

 Overall, 1916 patients were diagnosed with STIs. The predominant age group was 25 - 44 years (59.23%). Genital ulcer disease was the foremost syndrome (1213, 63.3%). Overall, herpetic genital ulcer was the most common (682, 35.6%), followed by non-herpetic ulcers (531, 27.7%). Vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, and urethritis were found in 461 (24%), 219 (11.43%), and 23 (1.27%) of the patients, respectively. Amongst 237 (12.36%) In HIV seropositive attendees, genital ulcer disease (herpetic) was the most common syndrome (179, 75.53%), followed by vaginal discharge (42, 17.72%), lower abdominal pain (9, 3.8%), and urethritis (7, 2.9%).

 A definite change in the profile of STIs was observed with ulcerative STIs (particularly herpes genitalis) constituting the major burden against a discernible back drop of decreasing non-herpetic STIs. A systematic, regional, periodic synopsis would not only help to follow and document the dynamic trends, but also can help to assess the effectiveness of control programs.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease in which lifelong treatment is required. Recently, we faced COVID-19 pandemic where adherence to a prescribed drug could have been affected.

We conduct a study to assess this statement.

The study was performed in Dermatology Department with Pharmacy database in the Hospital Universitario de La Princesa. A retrospective observational database study was performed, including all psoriatic patients with a biological therapy prescription between March 13 and May 31, 2020, with a paired control group between March 13 and May 31, 2019. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was used to determine the adherence.

A total of 244 patients were included in the cohort and 228 in the control group. We observed a decrease in the percentage of adherent patients of 40.0% in COVID-19 period. Overall, MPR was lower in the 2020 period than in 2019. MPRs by treatment and drug family, with the exception of etanercept, certolizumab pegol, and guselkumab, were significantly lower between the 2019 and the 2020 period.

Adherence to a prescribed drug can be affected by different factors such as age, sex, income quintile, or stress. We have demonstrated a deep impact on adherence because of the situation created by COVID-19 pandemic. These data are in contrast with previously reported results where adherence was slightly affected, probably due to the different epidemiological situation in different countries. Further efforts are needed to be done to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic influence on the therapeutic adherence.

 Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common types of skin cancer in Caucasians, but the role played by ionizing radiation (IR) exposure in its etiology is unclear.

 This study presents a patient with SCC, actinic keratoses, and radiation dermatitis of the feet with a distant history of IR exposure from a shoe-fitting fluoroscope. It is likely the fluoroscope’s IR contributed to the etiology of these manifestations.

 Patients with a history of repeated IR exposure, particularly from older, unregulated sources such as a shoe-fitting fluoroscope, should be monitored with a high index of suspicion for skin cancer and other related problems.

Amputation can disturb the quality of life, and it can be worsened when the amputated stump suffers from any dermatoses. It is mandatory for an amputee and the doctor to know about the common dermatoses that an amputated limb can suffer from. The prosthesis should be properly fitting, and hygiene has to be maintained.

A 49-year-old male presented with a warty lesion over the amputated limb. Histopathological examination revealed verrucous hyperplasia, and further examination showed improperly fitted prosthesis. A well-fitted prosthesis with proper padding cured his lesion.

The case report highlights how a properly fitted prosthesis corrects the lymphatic flow and thereby reduces complications. It is also important to maintain stump hygiene, as the humid, relatively anaerobic environment inside the prosthesis can trigger the growth of various organisms.

Skin diseases are the fourth most common cause of human illness, and blisters with different clinical manifestations make a diagnostic challenge.

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and causes of subepidermal gaps or blisters, as well as the compliance rate between the initial and final clinical diagnoses based on pathology reports.

In this cross-sectional study, pathology reports of subepidermal blisters or gaps were evaluated in the patients referred to the Razi Laboratory of Rasht from 2015 to 2019. The samples were examined by a pathologist after hematoxylin and eosin staining. The reports included demographic information, clinical differential diagnoses, final diagnosis, direct immunofluorescence findings, and salt split results. Finally, the compliance rate of clinical diagnosis with pathology reports was determined.

A total of 183 pathology reports were evaluated, 170 of which contained the final diagnosis. Females were more frequently affected by the disease, and pemphigoid bolus and lichen planus were the most prevalent final diagnoses. The compliance rate between the initial and final diagnoses was 94%. About 37.2% of the reports lacked direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and salt split, and only 42.6% of the samples had undergone DIF examination, while 20.2% had both DIF and salt split. There was no significant association between the compliance rate of the final diagnosis with age, sex, and undergoing diagnostic tests.

A high incidence of subepidermal gaps or blisters was seen in middle-aged individuals and females. The compliance rate of the initial clinical diagnosis with the final diagnosis based on pathological reports was high. Our findings emphasize the importance of histopathological examination and the complementary role of direct immunofluorescence and salt split in diagnosis.