The immunofluorescence findings in the immunobullous disorders are reviewed together with a summary of clinical and histopathological findings.

H1-antagonist (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) in dosage of 10 mg-25 mg thrice a day failed to elicit satisfactory response in 60 out of 170 patients of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Additional administration of H2-antagonist (cimetidine) in dosage of 200 mg four times a day, in patients not responding earlier to H1-antagonist alones exhibited moderate to good improvement of various parameters of urticaria in approximately 85% patients.

Fifteen patients with primary localised cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA), of which 8 had macular amyloidosis (MA) and 7 lichen amyloidosis (LA), received oral colchicine 1 mg/day in 2 divided doses for a period of 3 months. Pruritus completely disappeared in all MA patients and 30-60% diminution occurred in LA patients within 15 days. Intensity of pigmentation started to decrease within 7-14 days in all MA patients. Flattening of the papules anddiminution in thickness of the skin also started within one month in all LA patients, within 90 days of therapy pigmentation almost disappeared in all patients of MA and size of papules decreased by 80-98% in all LA patients. No significant side effect was seen in these patients due to colchicine therapy.

Estimation of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) and complements (C3 and C4) was carried out in 100 cases of alopecia areata as per method described by Mancini (1965).¹ Clinically patients were divided in two groups, alopecia areata circumscribed (group I) and severe alopecia areata (group II). Significant decrease in levels of one or more immunoglobulins were observed in most of the patients. However, serum complements (C₃ and C₄) were within range of normal control values.

100 cases of pyoderma were studied to find out whether there is any correlation between isolates from pyodermas, normal skin and nasal flora of the individual. From each patient six swabs were taken, two each from the lesion, healthy skin distant from the lesion and anterior nares. One swab from each site was used for direct microscopic examination and the other for culture and antibiotic susceptibility study. Isolates from lesion and normal skin and/or nose were identical in 37% cases of pyodermas. Isolates from lesion and normal skin were identical in 16% of cases; from lesion and nose in 14% cases, from all the three sites i.e., lesion, skin and nose in 7%. Staphylococcus aureus was the causative organism in 35 out of these 37 cases. Only in 2 cases was Staph, albus isolated. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates were alsothe same in 12 out of these 37 cases.

The study of clinical, histopathological and aetiological pattern, of lichen planus (LP) in 375 patients was done in this part of Western Rajasthan, The incidence of LP was 0.8%. 58.7% cases were male and maximum number of cases (46.93%) were in age group of 20-39 years. In 70.66% of patients only skin was involved while in 10.18% of cases only mucous membrane was involved. In 61.6% patients the lower extremities were involved. Familial LP was seen in 8 families. Association of LP was found with hypertension (2.4%), polymorphic light eruption (2.1%), vitiligo (1.9%) and diabetes mellitus (1.6%). 48.5% of cases showed lymphocytosis with raised ESR. Actinic LP was seen in 14.1% of cases. 13.1% of patients showed combination of typical LP or its variants to which term lichen planus variata was given.

Clinico-mycological study of 250 cases of dermatophytoses was undertaken in a desert district of Western Rajasthan. Incidence of dermatophytoses in this area was 8.60% with tinea cruris (34.4%) as the major clinical type followed by tinea corporis (24..0%). Incidence of tinea capitis was 16.8% and 90% of those affected were in the age group of 0-10 years. Male preponderance was observed (M:F=2:1). There were 15 cases of tinea faciei (6%), majority belonging to 0-10 years age group. Trichophyton violaceum was isolated in majority (55.76%) from all clinical types followed by Trichophyton rubrum (42.3%).

Ten cases of psoriasis were studied to see the pattern of histological resolution and to evaluate clinico-histological correlaion in psoriasis following weekly methotrexate therapy. Five sequential biopsies were taken in each patient. Scaling was first to regress followed by induration and erythema in 18, 26 and 35 days, respectively. Uniform granular layer appeared in 4 days, stratum corneum became orthokeratotic in 7 days, mitotic activity got restricted to basal layer in 7 days and rete ridges elongation was reduced to half in 11 days. Mild acanthosis, cellular infiltrate and vascular dilatation pesisted even after full clinical regression. Interestingly, 5 out of 10 biopsies revealed increase in cellular infiltrate and oedema after first methotrexate pulse.

A 35-year-old female and a 41-year-old male presented with clinical features suggestive of solar urticaria. The diagnosis of solar urticaria and the effectiveness of a combination of H1 and H2 blocking antihistamines were confirmed by phototesting with a solar simulator.

A series of 10 cases of Sweet’s syndrome observed during a period of 3 years in Eastern parts of Libya is reported. All the patients were females. Fever and peripheral neutrophilia were not found in all these cases. Dapsone was found to be very effective in the cases in which it was tried.

This is a report of tuberous sclerosis in members of three generations originating from parents, both suffering from the disease. Out of 12 family members only two were exempted and clinical expression varied from minimum lesion like adenoma sebaceum only to severe mental retardation and epilepsy.

Three cases of incontinentia pigmenti are reported. All the patients were female with bizarre pigmentation and verrucous and nodular lesions on the body. In all the cases there was absence of the vesicular stage and systemic involvement.

A case of 38-year-old male with multiple keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum is reported. Clinical presentation was in the form of multiple, firm, non-tender skin coloured nodules of variable sizes. Diagnosis was confirmed by the histopathological examination. The case is being reported because it is a rare variant of keratoacanthoma

A 62-year-old female had intensely pruritic eruption consisting of widespread coalescing sheets of uniform erythematous papules with characterstic sparing of body folds (deck-chair sign). Papuloerhthroderma of Ofuji is a rare disease of unknown aetiology.

A 70-year-old Indian lady with a two year history of a blistering eruption is described. This eruption clinically resembled dermatitis herepetiformis and responded to dapsone, however, histological and immunological investigations showed features of pemphigus herepetiformis

A case of leishmaniasis of lip without any involvement of other parts of the body in a 36 year-old-male is described.

A case of tropical (filarial) eosinophilia (TE) presented with vesicular and bullous eruptions. The patient had skin and mucosal blistering. Histopathological changes were that of bullous pemphigoid. The patient had very high eosinophilia with abnormal vacuoles in the cytoplasm. ELISA test was positive for filarial antibodies. There were no pulmonary signs or symptoms. X-ray chest was normal. The patient responded well to diethylcarbamazine.

Two cases of vulval elephantiasis arising as a sequel to complete destruction of regional lymph nodes of tubercular aetiology are described for its rarity.

A 10-year-old boy, a product of consanguineous marriage was diagnosed clinically as a case of Cockayne’s syndrome because of delayed milestones, deaf mutism with spastic paraplegia, dwarfism, salt and pepper fundus, typical facies and a photosensitive rash on the butterfly area of the face.

Keratitis, ichthyosis, deafness (KID) syndrome is a genetically determined disorder. The present case is having marked photophobia, bilateral corneal ulceration with vascularlsation, neurosensory deafness and skin changes.

A 21-year-old woman presented with complaints of skin lesions on her face, palms and soles. On examination, 8 to 10 well-defined, pigmented nodules with raised and pearly borders were seen on the face. Multiple pits were present on the palms and soles. Biopsy of both lesions revealed the presence of basal cell epitheliomas. The patient also gave history of removal of a keratocyst of mandible 10 years back. The case was diagnosed as Gorlin’s syndrome. It is atypical due to the low number 01 basal cell epitheliomas, the occurrence of only a single odontogenic cyst and the absence of other features usually associated with this condition.

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is associated with poor prognosis. But with low grade pathology it may have a good prognosis. A 32-year-old man presented with hyperpigmented patches over chest which on biopsy showed perivascular infiltrate and was treated as vasculitis. After 8 months he came again with multiple nodules and plaques with ulceration. Biopsy of the plaque showed evidence of B-cell lymphoma. With chemotherapy the patient died after 6 months. Retrospective study of the earliest biopsy showed atypical lymphoid cells. This emphasizes the importance of the dermatopathological interpretation at the earliest stage.

Three Libyan patients developing clinical manifestations of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) at 5 years, 7 years and 3 years of age are reported. All of them had variable degree of photosensitivity leading to pitted scarring. Red blood cells In peripheral blood smear revealed positive pink fluorescence in all. First patient responded well with chloroquine therapy and the 3rd patient showed improvement with oral beta-carotene therapy, but the second patient did not show significant response to either.