title: Cutaneous sporotrichosis in Himachal Pradesh, India.
abstract: During the period 1990-2002 in Himachal Pradesh, India, 103 new patients with cutaneous sporotrichosis were detected. Lymphocutaneous and fixed cutaneous varieties were the most common and seen in 49% and 43% respectively. Chronic non-specific inflammation without granuloma formation was seen in 46% skin biopsy specimens, 29% showed acute or chronic inflammation and tuberculoid granuloma formation was seen in 25%. In 32% of cases Sporothrix schenckii growth was seen on Sabouraud glucose agar. A saturated solution of potassium iodide was used as first-line treatment and in 93% patients healing of lesions occurred in 4-32 weeks (average 8.7 weeks) without significant side-effects. Itraconazole, used in 12 patients, was highly effective in recommended doses. Rapid healing was seen with higher than previously used doses of fluconazole in one patient who also had unusual exacerbation of lesional inflammation with saturated solution of potassium iodide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, India.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kanga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011193:Potassium Iodide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013175:Sporothrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011193:Potassium Iodide; D017964:Itraconazole; D015725:Fluconazole