Two hundred women attending the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic at Middle Road Hospital were investigated. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 32% of women who were contacts of men with nongonococcal urethritis, 15% of contacts of gonococcal urethritis, 27% of contacts of unspecified STD, and 13% of women without any history of STD in their sex partners. Overall, Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 17% of 200 women, Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 13% of 199 women, Candida albicans from 34% and Trichomonas vaginalis from 6% of 197 women. Three per cent of the patients had positive VDRL results. A history of bilateral lower abdominal pain and the presence of cervicitis were significantly associated with chlamydial infection. Forty one per cent of the 34 chlamydia-positive women were asymptomatic. The results of this study show that C. trachomatis infection is more common than infection with N. gonorrhoeae in women who attend STD clinics. The need for routine screening and treatment on the basis of epidemiological and clinical markers of infection has to be carefully examined.
The influence of chemoprophylaxis on gonorrhoea has not been reported recently. 777 prostitutes were interviewed and checked for evidence of chemoprophylaxis. The study showed that chemoprophylaxis does reduce the risk of gonococcal infections and that those who took penicillin chemoprophylaxis had a higher risk of Penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) infections compared to those who took non-penicillin chemoprophylaxis and those who did not take any prophylaxis.
The efficacy of three penicillin regimens in treating uncomplicated gonorrhoea in men was evaluated. The regimens consisted of: Augmentin 3.25 g plus probenecid 1 g orally: aqueous procaine penicillin G 4.5 MIU intramuscularly and probenecid 1 g plus one tablet of Augmentin 375 mg orally; or aqueous procaine penicillin G 4.5 MIU intramuscularly and probenecid 1 g plus two tablets of Augmentin 375 mg orally. Cure rates for infections caused by penicillinase (beta lactamase) producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were 87% (20/23) for regimen 1, 97% (28/29) for regimen 2, and 95% (19/20) for regimen 3. Thus the addition of one or two tablets of Augmentin 375 mg to aqueous procaine penicillin G and probenecid cured 96% (47/49) of infections caused by PPNG strains. All three regimens were 100% effective in eradicating infections caused by non-PPNG strains. Post gonococcal urethritis occurred in 24% of cases treated with regimen 1, 14% of cases treated with regimen 2, and 15% of cases treated with regimen 3. The geometric minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC90) of Augmentin for 72 PPNG and 162 non-PPNG isolates of N gonorrhoeae obtained before treatment were 1.98 and 0.55 mg/l, respectively. Regimen 2, besides being effective against infections caused by PPNG or non-PPNG strains, has the advantage of cost effectiveness and low toxicity. This regimen may be useful in treating gonorrhoea in areas of high prevalence of PPNG strains, such as South East Asia and Africa.
Introduction : Soft tissue infections are common, but erysipelas, especially its blistering feature, is an under-recognised entity. There have been few reports of blistering erysipelas. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics, management and the risk factors for erysipelas in 20 patients admitted in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Methods : A chart review of all cases of erysipelas, diagnosed by experienced dermatologists and admitted to the Singapore General Hospital during the period January 2006 to August 2006, was conducted. Results: There were 20 patients (11 male, nine female) with an average age of 62.2 (range 31–86) years. The most commonly-involved site was the leg (75 percent), followed by the arm (15 percent) and face (ten percent). The clinical characteristics were well dermarcated (50 percent), erythema (100 percent) and oedema (85 percent), and bullae and vesicles formation (80 percent). Most presented with no pain (40 percent) and minimal signs of systemic toxicity. There was no positive blood culture, but the swab on the blistering erysipelas yielded positive cultures in 67 percent. The most common predisposing factor was disruption in the skin barrier (65 percent), followed by venous insufficiency (20 percent) and lymphoedema (25 percent). All patients received empirical antibiotics, most commonly penicillin and cloxacillin (65 percent), for an average duration of 20.65 (10–41) days, and with local care, there was complete resolution. Conclusion : In our experience, erysipelas is a clinically distinct entity and commonly presents with bullae or vesicles. It has favourable prognosis, and rarely develops any complication with timely and appropriate therapy.
Eighty six women attending Middle Road Hospital with endocervical gonococcal infection were evaluated. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in 27% of them. Women co-infected with C. trachomatis were similar to those with gonococcal infection alone in terms of demography, type of sexual contact, previous sexually transmitted disease, genitourinary symptoms, and clinical signs.
Mission Statement JAMA Dermatology publishes information concerning the skin, its diseases, and their treatment.Its mission is to explicate the structure and function of the skin and its diseases and the art of using this information to deliver optimal medical and surgical care to the patient.We attempt to enhance the understanding of cutaneous pathophysiology and improve the clinician's ability to diagnose and treat skin disorders.This journal has a particular interest in publishing clinical and laboratory studies that reveal new information pertinent to the interests and needs of the medical dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and all those concerned with state-of-the-art care of cutaneous disease.We believe that knowledge derived from well-designed clinical trials and studies of cost-eff ectiveness are especially important for improving the practice of dermatology.Studies that increase the understanding of the outcome of treatment or the means by which the burden of dermatologic disease can be measured and reduced to promote the health of patients with skin disease will receive special priority.The journal regularly publishes reports on clinical investigations, editorials, and reviews.It also features reports and discussions on clinicopathologic correlations; clinical disorders of unique didactic value; pharmacologic, medical and surgical therapeutics; and ethical, moral, socioeconomic, and political issues.