Serum lipids and lipoproteins were assessed in 40 patients of leprosy and 20 healthy controls (age & sex matched). The leprosy cases included 20 cases each of paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy.

Clinically it is sometimes difficult to differentiate the various hyperkeratosis of palms and soles like psoriasis of palms and soles, pustulosis palmaris et plantaris, hyperkeratotic tinea and hyperkeratotic eczema. To differentiate amongst these conditions we have to take the help of histopathology. Here we are presenting the data of 292 cases of hyperkeratosis of palms & soles examined histologically by doing Haematoxylin and Eosin staining for the typical changes of the above mentioned conditions and PAS for the demonstration of the fungus in stratum corneum in cases of hyperkeratotic tinea.

Typical lesions of hyperkeratosis of palms and soles do not create any problem but when slight variation is there it becomes difficult to diagnose and that changes the line of treatment. For that we have studied 300 fresh cases of hyperkeratosis of palms and soles which included 110 cases of hyperkeratotic eczema. 42 cases of hyperkeratotic tinea, 64 cases of psoriasis of palms and soles and 84 cases of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP). To reach the final diagnosis alongwith the detailed history, general physical examination and routine investigations, help was taken of special investigations like pus for culture and sensitivity, KOH smear examination of skin scrapings and nail cutting and culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar medium.

Infection is the commonest cause of death in pemphigus and the commonest infection is Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. In present study bacterial culture and sensitivity from the lesion was done in 25 patients of pemphigus vulgaris and accordingly antibiotics were given along with other treatment of pemphigus i.e. steroid, immunosuppressive drug etc. Most common pathogenic bacteria isolated was Staphylococcus aureus and it was sensitive to cloxacillin, erythromycin, cefotaxime and lincomycin.

Estimation of peripheral T lymphocytes T3, T4, T8 and NK cells was carried out in 30 cases of different clinical types of vitiligo by direct immunofluorescence technique. The cases were divided into two broad groups (1) Localised; and (2) Generalised. These cases were again divided into 3 groups as per duration of disease. Thirty healthy subjects served as control. Decrease in T3 and T4 and increase in T8 with decrease of T4/T8 ratio was seen in both localised and generalised variety. But the T4/T8 ratio was decreased to a greater extent in generalised variety. The NK cells showed significant increase in the generalised variety. As per disease T4/T8 ratio was reduced maximally in patients with disease duration less than one year. Of the generalised category NK cells were increased more in patients having disease duration more than 1 year.

Background : Vitiligo is a condition of major social and cosmetic concern in India. An epidemiological study of large number of patients from India was indicated.

Twenty seven patients presenting with the complaint of pigmentary changes following friction were studied. Sixteen patients showed only pigmentary changes and 11 patients showed the presence of amyloid.

Five hundred twenty seven HIV seropositive male cases were observed for herpes zoster for a period of five years. Overall incidence of herpes zoster in HIV infection was found to be 11.8%. Herpes zoster was presenting symptom in 50% cases. It developed in first year of follow up in 38.8% cases, in second and third year of follow up in 4.8% cases each and in fourth year in 1.6% case. Majority of cases (89%) were in age group of 20 - 40 years. Thoracic dermatome (68%) was commonest to get involved followed by cervical (14.5%), trigeminal (9.7%) and lumbosacral (8%). Among other associations of HIV seropositive herpes zoster cases 24.2% cases had tuberculosis and 4.8% cases had hepatitis B virus infection. The skin lesions of herpes zoster in majority of cases were bullous, haemorrhagic and necrotic.

Three cases of primary cutaneous amyloidosis are reported. Family history was negative. Systemic involvement was ruled out. Histopathology was confirmed by congored stain. Patients responded to oral colchicine.

A case of eruptive acanthoma also known as Murray Williams warts is being reported in a 35-year old male following contact allergic dermatitis to air borne allergens.

Two female patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis presented with the complaint of papular skin lesions over the dorsal aspect of hands. Histopathological examination of papules showed the features of neurofibroma.

Several occupational hazards especially exposure to silica have been implicated as eliciting factors for the development of scleroderma-like disorders. We here report a case of manual stone-cutter who developed progressive scleroderma, interstitial lung disease and decreased oesophageal motility after several years of exposure to silica dust.

A 43-year old male presented with unilateral warty papular eruptions of 20 years duration, involving the left side of trunk, left upper and lower limbs. There were also whitish macules intermingled with them. Histological features were compatible with Darier's disease. There was no evidence of any family history or palmar pits and nail changes typical of Darier's disease. We are reporting this case as acantholytic dyskeratotic epidermal naevus representing a mosaic form of Darier's disease.

Eosinophilic cellulitis/Wells' syndrome is a rare dermatosis with erythematous, urticarial plaques that become more indurated and eventually have grey blue discoloration. The histopathology is distinctive, with a diffuse infiltrate composed predominantly of eosinophils but admixed with lymphocytes, histicytes and occasionally multinucleated histiocytes. There is dermal edema with so called "flame figures" that is composed of collagen focally enveloped with aggregates of eosinophilic granules. These collagen fibres may be surrounded by palisading histiocyes. The course is variable with waxing and waning and eventual spontaneous resolution.

Olmsted syndrome is characterised by mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma with peri-orificial hyperkeratosis. We report the case of an 8-year old boy who presented with severe keratoderma of the soles since birth and of the palms from the age of 3 years. At 3 years of age hyperkeratotic plaques appeared on the elbows and knees. The child developed keratotic lesions at the angle of the mouth 1 year later. The child had sparse thin easily pluckable hair. Light and scanning electron microscopic examination of the hair revealed several hair shaft abnormalities. Though the psychomotor development of the child was normal till 1 year of age, thereafter the keratoderma had largely restricted the child's mobility. There was no history of hyperhidrosis and no dental abnormality was detected. The lesions had been unresponsive to keratolytics and had recurred after surgical removal. The patient was started on oral retinoids and topical keratolytics and had partially responded in 2 months.