Sarcoidosis is not an uncommon disease. Unfortunately, the awareness amongst clinicians is lacking and due to overwhelming prevalence of tuberculosis, a disease with many similar features, the diagnosis is missed and often delayed. The gold standard investigation finding in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is the presence of noncaseating tuberculoid granuloma, also known as sarcoid or sarcoid-like granuloma. Some classical chest X-ray findings, clinico-radiological dissociation. Suggestive organ lesions, negative Mantoux test (MT), development of MT site granuloma, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and raised serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) value and negative tests for tuberculosis are usually hekpful in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

A clinic pathological study was conducted on 50 patients of pemphigus of various types attending skin OPD. Assam Medical College in last two years. There were 20 males and 30 females. Pemphigus vulgaris, the commonest type was seen in 42 patients. Majority of the patients were from 31 to 50 years of age groups and belonged to lower socioeconomic status. Pemphigus vulgaris was the most severe variety and secondary bacterial infection was the commonest complication. Bacterial pathogen commonly involved was coagulase positive staphylococcus aureus. Oral mucosal involvement was noted in 39 patients. Cutaneous lesions were seen 4.5 months (average) after initiation of oral lesions.

A close ended questionnaire study on knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) about HIV/AIDS was conducted amongst first year MBBS students immediately on joining the course. One hundred and fourteen students participated in the study. Overall level of knowledge about AIDS was found to be 72%. Boys were better informed about possible methods of prevention of AIDS than girls. Misconceptions regarding mode of transmission, clinical presentation and prevention existed amongst large number of them. Seventeen percent of boys and 5% of girls approved of pre-marital sex for boys while 14.8% of boys approved the same for girls. Thirteen and half percent of boys admitted sexual experience. Awareness programme should be intensified amongst students to improve the overall knowledge of AIDS.

Infections, ischaemia and neuropathy are the major threats to diabetic foot apart from aerobic gram-negative organisms, anaerobic bacteria such as bacteriodes species play an important role in causing infection. Septilin, a polyherbal formulation with various constituents having antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties was evaluated in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Septilin was administered at a dose of 2 tablets twice daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of treatment, about 75% of the patients in group A had sterile would swab culture and 24% (approx) had some growth of E. coil and proteus. There was no growth of kelbsiella in this group. In group B. about 50% had recurrence of gram-negative infection and about 28% of patients showed gram-positive isolate in addition to gram-negative culture. Two patients in group B were dropped from the study due to high blood sugar levels.

Fourteen patients, 8 girls and 6 boys with trachyonychia have been reported. Their ages ranged from 5 to12 years; mean 8.5 years. All of them had retarded growth of nail plates with roughness. Fragility blackish discoloration, longitudinal ridging of all the 20 nails of fingers and toes. Six patients had thickening of the nail plates while 8 had thinning. In one patient each oil drop sign and splinter haemorrhages were seen; two patients each had associated lichen planus and psoriasis and one each atopic dermatitis, vitiligo and alopecia areata. Personal history of atopy was obtained in 6 patients. Nail biopsy carried out in 5 patients revealed nonspecific histology. Radiological examination of fingers and toes revealed no bony or joint abnormality. The nail changes remained almost static during a 4 year follow-up period.

Henoch schonlein purpura was suspected in 18 cases from July 1997 to July 1999. Histopathology and immunofluorescence confirmed the diagnosis. The incidence in India is not known. However, an incidence of 1.2 per million is reported from Suffolk UK. We report an incidence of 3 per million from July 1997 to 1998 and 7 per million from July 1998 to 1999.

Cryptococcosis, though quite rare, occurs throughout the world. Even more rare is to have cutaneous cryptococcosis. We describe in this case report, a case of cutaneous cryptococcosis in a HIV seropositive individual who had skin lesions over the face and trunk resembling molluscum contagiosum. The skin lesions provided the first evidence of disseminated cryptococcosis.

x A 77 year old srilankan male presented with a circumscribed, erythematous scalp lesion with central ulceration of 5 weeks duration. A punch biopsy revealed an anastomosing network of irregular vascular channels lined by atypical cells, which stained positively for endothelial markers. Histopathology was consistent with an angiosarcoma. This rare and aggressive tumour metastasizes early, particularly to the lung. The variable clinical presentation of this tumour often leads to delay in diagnosis.

Family cases of cockayne’s syndrome are very rare. We report tow siblings in a family affected with this syndrome and highlight the significance of cutaneous features of this syndrome.

A classical case of klippel trenaunay syndrome in a 25 year old male characterized by port wine stain, varicose and increase in length of the right lower extremity associated with ulceration is presented.

Linear psoriasis, inflammatory linear varrucous epidermal naevus (ILVEN). Lichen straitus, linear lichen planus and invasion of epidermal naevi by psoriasis have clinical and histopathological overlap. We report two young male patients of true linear psoriasis without classical lesions elsewhere which were proved histopathologically. Seasonal variation and good response to topical antipsoriatic treatment supported the diagnosis.

A 35 year old male had arthropathy of large joints, psoriasiform skin lesions and circinate balanitis preceded by recurrent episodes of dysentery. He also developed feature of nephritic syndrome due to secondary amyloidosis as confirmed by renal and rectal biopsy.

A 40 year old male farmer with brauer-buschke-fisher keratoderma is being reported in view of the rarity of this condition.

A case of herpes simplex encephalitis secondary to primary anogenital herpes simplex is being reported for its rarity. Despite intravenous acyclovir therapy, it had a fatal outcome

A seven year old girl presented with erythematous, scaly, acuminate papules over the face, earlobes, chest, back, buttocks. Shoulders and limbs of ten months duration. Biopsy revealed hyperkeratosis, mild acanthosis and hypergranulosis in the epidermis, focal and perivascular infiltrate in the dermis, consistent with pityriasis rubra pilaris. Patient responded well to oral vitamin A and topical retinoids.

Milia occurring in six individuals of a family is being reported for its rarity as familial occurrence. Differentiation from eruptive form of milia is being emphasized.

Painful bruising syndrome (PBS) is a distinctive but rare clinical entity. We are reporting a case of PBS in a 26 year old hysterical woman who responded excellently to oral cyproheptadine and psychotherapy.