1.Microbiological Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Isolates of Skin Specimens from the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur: A 3-Year Audit
Shwu Hoon Tee ; Min Moon Tang ; Suganthi Thevarajah
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2017;38(June):13-18
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.
2.Behçet’s Disease: A Case Series of 5 Patients in the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wan Ahmad Kamal Wan Syameen Afira ; Min Moon Tang ; Suganthi Thevarajah
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2017;38(June):72-78
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.
3.Delayed Granulomatous Reaction after Oral Piercing during Thaipusam.
Su Ming WONG ; Jyh Jong TANG ; Suganthi THEVARAJAH ; Roshidah BABA
Annals of Dermatology 2012;24(3):355-357
No abstract available.
4.From Red Herring to Malignancy
Chai Har LOO ; Min Moon TANG ; Zuliatul Faizah BAHAROM ; Bang Rom LEE ; Suganthi THEVARAJAH
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2017;39(Dec):72-78
Angiosarcoma is a rare but aggressive malignant tumor of vascular endothelial cells accounting for1-2% of soft tissue sarcoma. Due to its rarity and heterogeneity in clinical presentation, delay indiagnosis and treatment is not uncommon. Hence, prognosis is usually guarded. Here we report acase of primary cutaneous angiosarcoma arising from the right cheek which progressed rapidly andresulted in perforation of buccal mucosa despite combination therapy of paclitaxel and propranolol.
5.Leprosy in Pregnancy: A Case Series in 4 Dermatology Clinics in Malaysia
Ken Chen LOH ; Min Moon TANG ; Wooi Chiang TAN ; Lee Chin CHAN ; Sook Yee Michelle Voo ; Suganthi THEVARAJAH
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2018;40(June):41-48
IntroductionManagement of leprosy in pregnancy is challenging. Here we aim to describe the clinical characteristicsand the management of leprosy in pregnancy.MethodsThis is a retrospective study on pregnant women with leprosy managed in the Department ofDermatology in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah andHospital Queen Elizabeth between 1994 and 2015.ResultsThere were ten patients with 12 pregnancies with a median age of 27.5 years (range: 16-33). Fivewere foreigners. There were four cases of lepromatous leprosy, two cases of borderline lepromatous,two cases borderline tuberculoid leprosy and one case each for tuberculoid and mid borderline leprosy.Seven pregnancies (58%) were documented to have reactions. Four reversal reactions (33%), threeerythema nodusom leprosum (25%) and two Lucio’s phenomenon (17%) were documented. Bothpatients with Lucio’s phenomenon had undiagnosed leprosy and presented with preterm labour,anemia, oligohydramnios and intrauterine growth restriction. Mortality was recorded in one patientdue to dapsone induced hypersensitivity syndrome complicated with septicaemia. All patients wereprescribed multidrug therapy but in three pregnancies, the patients chose to defer the treatment. Therewas a spontaneous miscarriage at second trimester and a case of early neonatal death. The neonatalcomplications recorded for the 10 live deliveries were low birth weight, jaundice and clofazimineinducedhyperpigmentation.ConclusionThe majority of our patients with leprosy had complications throughout the pregnancies. Earlydetection and prompt treatment can prevent unfavorable fetal outcome & threatened maternal health.
6.The Clinical Characteristics of Inpatients: An Audit in the Department of Dermatology Hospital Kuala Lumpur Between 2016 and 2020
Gin Peng Chan ; Suganthi Thevarajah ; Min Moon Tang
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2021;47(Dec 2021):56-62
Background:
Although Dermatology is primarily a non-acute, outpatient-centered clinical specialty, some of them
require in-patient care for intensive skin management. We aim to describe the demographic data,
clinical characteristics, and outcomes of Dermatology inpatients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).
Methods:
This is a retrospective study on all dermatology inpatients in HKL between 2016 and 2020. Data was
obtained from admission records and further analyzed.
Results:
A total of 1567 patients were admitted to the Dermatology ward between 2016 and 2020 accounted
for 2292 admissions. The mean age was 45 years (range 8-93). The male to female ratio was 1.16:1.
The majority were Malaysian (99.2%). Most Malaysian were Malays (60%) followed by Chinese
(19.3%) and Indian (17.1%). About 91% of the admissions were arranged from the dermatology
clinic. The mean length of stay was 5.06 days (range 0-63). About 20% of the patients required
multiple admissions. The main dermatological diagnosis requiring inpatient care were non-infective
dermatoses (60.4%) which included eczematous dermatoses, autoimmune dermatoses, psoriasis,
cutaneous adverse drug reactions, inflammatory and non-inflammatory dermatoses. This was followed
by cutaneous infections (24.5%) and drug allergy testing & drug provocation tests (7.9%). About 3%
of patients were transferred to other departments for further intensive management, and the rest were
discharged home well. No mortality occurred in the Dermatology ward.
Conclusion
The Dermatology ward HKL managed 2292 admissions between 2016 and 2020. The three main
dermatological diagnoses requiring intensive skin management were eczematous conditions, cutaneous
infections, and autoimmune dermatoses.
Dermatology
;
Inpatients
;
Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
7.Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among Adolescents Attending Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Hospital Kuala Lumpur between 2014 and 2018
Vijayaletchumi Krishnasamy ; Suganthi Thevarajah ; Min Moon Tang
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2021;47(Dec 2021):12-20
Background:
Adolescents, who aged between 10 and 19 years old, comprise about 20% of the world’s population.
They are vulnerable to acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Here, we aim to determine
the demography and pattern of STIs among adolescents attending Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM)
Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).
Methods:
This is a retrospective study on all adolescents attending GUM clinic between 2014 and 2018. Data
was obtained from case notes and further analysed.
Results:
A total of 111 adolescents attended GUM clinic between 2014 and 2018. The mean age was 18 years
(range 12-19). The male to female ratio was 2.26:1. All patients were Malaysian. Only 2 were foreign
nationals. The majority were Malays (85.3%) followed by Indians (11%) and Chinese (3.7%). About
46.8% were still schooling, 28.8% were employed and 23.4% were unemployed. About 8.3% had a
history of substance abuse. The majority (67.6%) were heterosexual, about 17.1% were homosexual
and 3.6% were bisexual. Nearly 95% engaged in unprotected sex. Majority (46%) had casual sex. The
most frequent presenting symptoms for male and female adolescents were discharge (43.2%) followed
by swelling/growth (23.4%). About 83% had confirmed STIs. The most common STIs among the
male were gonorrhoea (44.1%), genital warts (23.4%) and non-gonococcal urethritis (14.7%). The
most common STIs among the female were herpes genitalis (50%), genital warts (33.3%) and syphilis
(8.3%). Six patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Conclusion
The most common STI among adolescents between 2014 and 2018 was gonorrhoea for male and
herpes genitalis for female.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
;
Adolescent
;
Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
8.Cutaneous Manifestations in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: An Audit in the Department of Dermatology Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Gin Peng Chan ; Meena Nithianandan ; Suganthi Thevarajah ; Min Moon Tang
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2020;45(2):11-21
Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may have significant cutaneous morbidities
which can potentially affect their quality of life or be life-threatening. This study aimed to describe the
demographic data and the pattern of cutaneous manifestations of patients infected with HIV.
9.Clinical Characteristics of Anogenital Warts Among Patients Attending Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Hospital Kuala Lumpur Between 2015 and 2020
Khai Shin Tan ; Vijayaletchumi Krishnasamy ; Suganthi Thevarajah ; Min Moon Tang
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2022;48(Jun 2022):66-75
Background:
Anogenital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequent reported sexually transmitted infection in
the world. We aim to describe the local demographic data and the clinical characteristics of anogenital
warts (AGWs).
Methods:
This is a retrospective study on all patients with AGWs who attended the GUM clinic between 2015
and 2020. Data was obtained from case notes and further analysed.
Results:
A total of 935 patients with AGWs attended the GUM clinic between 2015 and 2020. The mean
age was 30.4 years (range 12-84). The male to female ratio was 2.35:1. Majority were Malaysian
(97%). Majority of the Malaysian were Malays (61.5%) followed by Chinese (27.7%) and Indian
(8.9%). About 5.6% had a history of substance abuse. While the majority (57.9%) were heterosexual,
34.8% were homosexual and 6.4% were bisexual. About 59.8% had more than one sexual partner.
A quarter (25.6%) was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. The most frequent site of
AGWs in males was the perianal area (52.6%), followed by the penis (45.7%), and with a fifth of
them having lesions at multiple sites. For female patients, the most frequent site of AGWs was the
posterior fourchette (45.2%) followed by the labia minora (33%) with 46.6% had involvement at
multiple sites. Approximately 17.6% had other concomitant sexually transmitted infections. Local
treatment application used included cryotherapy (86.4%), podophyllin (35.3%), tri-chloroacetic acid
(26.8%) and imiquimod (2.6%). About 41.5% required combination of these modalities. Nearly 6.2%
experienced recurrence. About 2% required surgical intervention.
Conclusions
AGWs was more commonly observed in male. The most frequent site of involvement was perianal for
male (52.6%) and posterior fourchette in female (45.2%).
Papillomavirus Infections
;
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
10.Adult Onset Still’s Disease: A Case Report in Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Choon Sian Lee ; Li Lian Tay ; Gin Peng Chan ; Zuliatul Faizah Baharom ; Bang Rom Lee ; Suganthi Thevarajah ; Min Moon Tang
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2020;44(1):41-49
Adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a sporadic
complex autoinflammatory syndrome first described
in 1971.1 It is characterised by high spiking fever,
polyarthritis, sore throat, lymphadenopathy,
hepatosplenomegaly, serositis, and evanescent skin
eruptions.1,2 It is associated with life-threatening
complications too. Diagnosis of AOSD is laborious
as it requires extensive investigations to exclude
infections, autoimmune diseases and malignancy.
Here we illustrate a young female who exhibited a
turbulent presentation of ASOD.