The in vitro activity of itraconazole was investigated against 88 clinical isolates of dermatophytes. The isolates included Microsporum canis-50, M. audovinii-5, Trichophyton rubrum-6, T. mentagraphytes-5 T.violaceum-12, T.simii-5, T verrucosum-1, T.soundanense-1, T. erinacei-1 and Epidermophyton flooccosum-2 isolates. The results were compared with that of ketoconazole and griseofulvin. Itraconazole was more active, inhibiting 85 of the 88 isolates at a concentration of 0.5 µg/ml (MIC range 0.01-1 µg/ml). Ketoconazole (MIC range 0.1-10 µg/ml) required 2.5 µg/ml and 5 µg/ml of the drug respectively for inhibition of all the isolates except one of Microsporum species.

Over a period of 5 years, 490 patients with vitiligo were treated with either steroid or psoralen and their response to therapy was observed. Koebner's negative patients showed satisfactory response to psoralen. Patients who were Koebner's positive initially and then turned negative after steroid therapy showed better response to combination of steroids and psoralen.

Dapsone syndrome is a hypersensitivitiy reaction occurring within first 6 weeks of starting treatment with dapsone. Out of 2014 leprosy cases receiving multidrug treatment (MDT) in Sassoon General Hospital Pune, 18 cases (0.89%) developed dapsone syndrome. Fever, skin lesions, and lymphadenopathy were present in all cases. Abnormal liver function tests were detected in 13 cases. Arthralgia was present in 12 cases while conjunctivitis was present only in 1 case. Combination of rifampicin with dapsone as a part of MDT may be one of the most important factors in precipitating a rise in dapsone hyper-sensitivity.

Direct immunoflurescence was carried out in 20 patients with pemphigus vulgaris and repeated at intervals of 3 months in each patient on 3 occasions or earlier in patients who had a relapse. No correlation was observed between the disease activity and positive DIF. Complement deposition showed an increase or reappeared in patients who had a relapse. It is thus a better indication of an imminent relapse.

Twenty four patients of lichen simplex chronicus completed a double-blind trial to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine maleate), an antidepressant (imipramine), and a placebo. Imipramine was found to be superior to other 2 medications.

An infant with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome who presented with eczematous skin lesions, recurrent infections, and thrombocytopenia is reported. He was posted for allogenic bone marrow transplantation but died before the transplantation. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation offers excellent immunologic and haematologic reconstitution, if histocompatible sibling donor is available.

A case of vulval varicosities occurring during pregnancy is reported for its unusual presentation and some complications encountered during its investigation are discussed.

Collodion baby is a rare congenital disorder characterized by parchment like taught membrane covering the whole body. Other findings in our case include ectropion, eversion of lips, and flattening of nose and ears. Skin biopsy showed features consistant with the diagnosis of collodion baby. The child was treated with supportive measures like antibiotics, intravenous fluids, humidification, and application of emollients.

An 8-year-old boy presented with clinical manifestations of progeria. He had senile looks, scanty scalp hair, stunted growth, and wrinkled skin with loss of subcutaneous fat. Sclerodermatous changes were found on both thighs and pelvic region, which was confirmed by histopathology.

A case of Mondor's disease is reported in a middle-aged woman. There were no associated cutaneous or systemic diseases. Lesions resolved following treatment with oral acetyl salicylate.

A case of Lipoid Proteinosis possibly due to a mutant autosomal dominant gene is reported which has additional features of mental subnormality.