Atopic eczema in a multiracial country (Malaysia)

A total of 14,342 patients with skin diseases who had attended either the National University of Malaysia skin clinic or a private dermatological office were analysed. Five hundred and thirty-four cases (3.7%) had atopic eczema, the prevalence being highest among the Malays (4.3%). The prevalence of atopic eczema among clinic attenders is lower in all three major Malaysian races when compared with studies from England.

Candida albicans--saprophyte or pathogen?

Skin scrapings taken from toe spaces of 200 healthy volunteers and from toe webs and groins of 150 pediatric patients were cultured for Candida albicans using the serum germ-tube test. The results showed that Candida albicans can be isolated in about 15% of normal toe spaces and 14% of children with normal groins. Although Candida albicans can be found in various grades of athlete's foot and also in some abnormal groins, we believe that it is not necessarily responsible for these conditions and is often present at these sites only as a saprophyte.

Trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulfate cream versus fusidic acid cream in the treatment of pyodermas

One hundred patients with a clinical diagnosis of a primary or secondary superficial pyoderma were entered into a double-blind study. They were allocated treatment with either trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulfate cream or fusidic acid cream according to a fully randomized treatment code. Data suitable for evaluation were obtained from 87 patients, and statistical analysis revealed trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulfate (TP) cream to be significantly better than fusidic acid cream in alleviation several of the individual signs and symptoms associated with pyogenic infection of the skin as well as in reducing the overall severity score at the end of the 2-week study period.

Therapy of leprosy

The latest developments and ideas in the therapy of leprosy are discussed, the need for long-term studies being stressed. The therapeutic efficacy and effective dosages of some sulfones (especially diaphenylsulfone), thiambutosine and long-acting sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxine and sulfalene, are considered. The possibilities for two newer drugs, 4,4'-diacetyldiaminodiphenylsulfone and clofazimine (B-663), both still in the early stages of evaluation, are also described and the potential value of thalidomide in treatment of the lepra reaction is discussed. The authors make a number of recommendations for controlled trials and lines of investigation and, in particular, favour a biochemical approach to the correction of defective host defences. Diaphenylsulfone is still considered the drug of choice for use in the therapy of leprosy.