Onychomycosis is a common nail disease with numerous etiological pathogens. In order to determine and trend the local mycological pattern of culture-positive diseased nail samples sent from the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, a five-year retrospective audit was carried out, which revealed that non-dermatophyte molds were the predominant fungi isolated, followed by yeasts and dermatophytes. This is similar to two previous studies in Malaysia, but varies greatly from other studies around the world which showed a dermatophyte-predominant prevalence. This could be due to the nature of the environment our patients encountered.

Abstract Introduction: Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance worldwide, the bacterial pathogens and susceptibility patterns causing skin infections should be monitored periodically to alert early intervention. This study aimed to analyse the bacterial profile and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns among the patients with cutaneous infections at Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). Methods: This retrospective analysis analysed the bacterial profile and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 1221 positive cultures obtained from skin swabs and biopsy specimens sent from the Department of Dermatology Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) from 2013-2015. Results: Staphylococcus aureus (2/3 methicillin-sensitive, 1/3 methicillin-resistant) was the most frequent isolate (44%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.4%); Acinetobacter sp. (6.7%); Proteus sp. (6.1%); Klebsiella sp. (5.7%), Enterobacter sp. (3.0%), Escherichia coli (2.8%) and others. About 45% and 10% of MRSA was resistant to fucidic acid and mupirocin respectively. About 15% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to ciprofloxacin. Majority of Acinetobacter sp. were resistant to most of the common antibiotics used. Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus remained the main microorganisms isolated from patients with cutaneous bacterial infections. Empirical use of antibiotics prior to availability of culture sensitivity should be avoided for prevention of multi-resistant micro-organisms. We advocate judicious use of antibiotics based on results of the culture sensitivity and strict adherence to infection control measures to prevent development of antibiotic resistance.

Introduction: Psoriasis is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor. This study aims to determine and describe the cardiac abnormalities using echocardiography and electrocardiography in patients with plaque psoriasis. Methods: This is a case control study of psoriasis patients with no previous history of cardiac disease. One hundred and thirty-five patients attending the Dermatology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur were recruited over one year. A full history, physical examination, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram were done. The controls were 135 age and sex matched healthy individuals. Results: The psoriasis group had a significantly higher body mass index and blood pressure. The echocardiogram showed that the mean left ventricular wall diastolic thickness, aortic annulus diameter and isovolumetric relaxation time of the left ventricle was significantly prolonged, and a higher prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation in psoriasis. On the electrocardiogram, more psoriasis patients had left ventricular hypertrophy, ischaemia and right bundle branch block. The QRS interval was significantly shorter in these patients. The tricuspid valve E/A ratio was significantly lower in patients with psoriatic arthropathy. The mitral valve early filling velocity deceleration time, tricuspid valve E/A ratio and QRS interval were significantly higher among systemic therapy naïve patients. The mean mitral and tricuspid valve E/A ratio were significantly lower; and the mean ascending aorta diameter larger, in those with psoriasis for more than ten years. Conclusion: Psoriasis may be associated with an increased risk of cardiac abnormalities suggesting diastolic dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation. These abnormalities appear to be related to disease duration. Further studies employing newer echocardiographic and cardiac imaging techniques are needed to validate this.

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a variant of systemic vasculitides characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcers, recurrent genital ulcers with eyes, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, joints, neurological and others organ involvement. Here we aim to describe the demography, clinical patterns and the treatment of 5 cases of BD presented to the Department of Dermatology Hospital Kuala Lumpur between 2002 and 2016. All the patients had a delay in their diagnosis. The clinical characteristics and the choices of treatment in our patients did not differ greatly compared to the reports from other countries. BD could be under-diagnosed in Malaysia as the presenting symptoms are non-specific. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is needed.

Background: The pattern of contact sensitisation should be monitored in order to detect the changing trend of sensitising allergens. We aim to evaluate contact sensitisation in adults suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis. Methods: This is a five-year retrospective review on contact sensitisation in adults patch-tested with the European Standard and extended series between 2011 and 2015 in the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Results: There were 689 adults (M:F= 1:2.04; mean age 40.5 years) who were patch-tested. The majority (175, 25.4%) were white collar workers and 118 (17.1%) were healthcare workers. The provisional diagnoses of patients included contact dermatitis (80.8%); endogenous eczema (7.9%); hand eczema (3.2%); hand and foot eczema (3.5%); foot eczema (1.4%) and photodermatitis (1.2%). The allergens selected for testing were based on past and present history of exposure. Almost all (688, 99.8%) were patch-tested with the European standard allergens and 466 (67.6%) were tested with the extended series. About three quarter (528, 76.6%) developed at least one positive reaction. The top five most frequent reactions were to nickel sulphate (35.3%); potassium dichromate (16.5%); methylchloroisothiazolinone (12.9%), fragrance mix I (12.6%), and cobalt chloride (10.2%). The commonest sensitisations identified in the extended series were palladium chloride (23/105, 21.9%), stannous chloride (18/85, 21.2%), miconazole (7/44, 15.9%), gold(I)sodium thiosulfate (16/105, 15.2%) and thimerosal (29/202, 14.4%). Conclusion: Contact sensitisation was detected in 76.6% of adults patch-tested. Nickel sulphate was found to be the most frequently sensitising allergen. The rising prevalence of methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone sensitization poses significant concern.
Dermatitis, Contact

Introduction:The Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur has been providing cutaneous laser therapyservices for over 20 years. We aim to describe the utilization of cutaneous laser therapy at the Departmentof Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and the post treatment complications.Methods:We reviewed all patients who received cutaneous laser therapy at the Department of Dermatology, HospitalKuala Lumpur from January 2012 till December 2016. Complications were defined as dyspigmentation,infection, scarring, blisters, ulcerations, skin textural changes or contact dermatitis secondary to post/ pre-lasertopical therapy.Results:A total of 1190 patients with a male to female ratio of 1:2.21 and a mean age of 35.8 years received single,repeated or combination cutaneous laser therapy from 2012 till 2016 for 48 different skin conditions. Annually,an average of 1314 laser sessions were performed. Indications included seborrhoeic keratosis (249, 20.9%),port wine stain (162, 13.6%), solar lentigines (144, 12.1%), syringoma (105, 8.8%), viral warts (88, 7.4%),and Naevus of Ota (82, 6.9%) among others. Majority underwent Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (36.5%) followedby pulsed dye laser (33.6%), ablative conventional carbon dioxide laser (29.2%) and fractional carbon dioxidelaser (0.7%). Over the past 5 years, 3 patients developed severe complication post laser therapy which wasblisters. Pain was tolerable with application of topical 5% EMLA? (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) creampre-laser treatment.Conclusion:Q-switched Nd:YAG laser therapy was the most frequently employed laser in the Department ofDermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Our centre has a high volume of cases with a low rate of posttreatment complication.

Introduction:Vascular anomalies, regardless of tumour or malformation, may result in significant morbidity. Thediagnosis of vascular anomalies in the paediatric group is always challenging. We aim to describe thepattern of vascular anomalies referred to the Paediatric Institute Kuala Lumpur Hospital (PIKLH).Methods:This is a 3-year retrospective review on vascular anomalies among children referred to PIKLH between2013 and 2015.Results:There were 289 children; male to female ratio of 1:2.1; aged from birth to 14 years with median age of5 months recruited. The referring diagnoses included haemangioma (71.3%), capillary malformation(13.8%), lymphatic malformation (1.7%), kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (1.0%) and others. Ahundred and sixty-one (55.7%) had lesions located at the head and neck region, followed by trunk(14.2%), lower limbs (9.3%), upper limbs (7.6%), perineum (3.8%) and multiple sites (6.9%). In 197patients (68.2%), there were no further investigations performed, 13.5% had ultrasonography, 7.3%had MRI, 4.8% had both ultrasonography and MRI; 4.1% had skin biopsy, 0.3% had angiogram.The final diagnoses were haemangioma (72.3%) of which 10 were ulcerated; capillary malformations(17.6%), combined vascular malformations (2.4%), kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (2.8%),lymphatic malformations (2.1%); venous malformations (1.4%); tufted angioma (1.0%) andarteriovenous malformations (0.3%). One hundred and nine patients (37.7%) received beta-blockers;71(24.6%) underwent laser, 16(5.5%) received sirolimus, 9(3.1%) received systemic corticosteroidswith vincristine, 4(1.4%) had systemic corticosteroids, 3(1.0%) had excision and 2(0.7%) hadsclerotherapy. The remaining patients were put under observation.Conclusion:Three-quarters of the vascular anomalies referred were hemangioma followed by vascularmalformations. Vascular anomalies have a large variation in clinical presentation. Expertise inthe diagnosis and management modalities are essential to achieve optimum outcomes. Thereforevascular anomalies are best managed in a multidisciplinary setting.

Dapsone is part of the multi-drug therapy used in the treatment of leprosy. It can cause life-threateninghypersensitivity syndromes resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, especially amongsusceptible individuals such as those who are carriers of HLA-B*13:01 allele. Avoidance of dapsonein these susceptible individuals reduces the risk of dapsone-related adverse events. Herein, we reportfour indigenous patients with leprosy who developed dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome.

Introduction:Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was thought to be infrequent in children. However, there isincreasing number of case reports and cross-sectional studies that indicate ACD is not as rare aspreviously thought. This study aims to explore the pattern of allergic contact dermatitis in childrenand adolescent patients.Methods:This is a retrospective study of children and adolescent patients between 5 and 19-years-old whounderwent patch test in the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia fromJanuary 2010 to December 2016. Patch tests were performed with European Baseline Series andother additional commercial series. Readings were recorded according to the International ContactDermatitis Research Group recommendation.Results:There were 116 children and adolescent patients who underwent patch test. The median age of patientswas 14 years (range: 5-19) with a male to female ratio of 1: 2.7. Seventy patients had dermatitisinvolving the upper limbs (60.3%), followed by 61(52.6%) patients with dermatitis involving thelower limbs, 36(31.0%) patients with face and ears involvement and 31(26.7%) patients with truncalinvolvement. Of the 116 patients, 74(63.8%) had at least one positive patch test reaction. The 5most common allergens were nickel sulfate (39.2%), fragrance mix (17.6%), potassium dichromate(14.9%), cobalt chloride (12.2%), methylcholoroisothiozolinone and methylisothiozolinone (KathonCG) (8.1%) and thimerosal (8.1%).Conclusion:Around 64% of our children and adolescents had a positive patch test reaction. Patch testing shouldbe recommended for children and adolescents suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis.

Antihistamine is standard chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) therapy. Weight gain is a side effect of concern as prolonged high dose therapy is common. We investigated the effects of 12-weeks loratadine therapy on weight, appetite and parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS). A cohort study was performed involving CSU patients aged ≥18 years. Patients with diseases or on drugs affecting weight or appetite were excluded. CSU was treated according to standard management. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP), Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), hunger and satiety questionnaire, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and fasting lipid profile (FLP) were obtained at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Loratadine cumulative dose were determined. Thirteen (33.33 %) males and 26 (66.67 %) females aged 33.00 (12.00) years participated. Median weight was 62.55 (18.30) kg, BMI 24.60 (6.80) kg/m2, 13(33.33%) patients had normal weight, 12 (30.77%) overweight, 11 (28.21%) obese and 3 (7.69%) underweight. Significant weight gain was observed at week 6, 67.56 ± 16.14 kg vs 68.16 ± 16.95 kg, p < 0.05 and 67.56 ± 16.14 kg vs 64.73 ± 14.60 kg, p = 0.04 at week 12. Changes in BMI, WC, BP, FBS and FLP were insignificant. Three patients developed MetS. Hunger and satiety scores were unaffected. Loratadine induced weight gain despite no effects on appetite. Weight should be monitored in patients on long term loratadine therapy.