Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Immunologic Factors ; therapeutic use ; Levofloxacin ; Ofloxacin ; adverse effects ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; drug therapy ; etiology

Back ; pathology ; Collagen ; Fibrosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Thorax ; pathology

Current treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) include prolonged courses of antibiotics, retinoids, immunosuppressants, and biologics. Severe cases that are resistant to prolonged medical treatment pose a therapeutic challenge. We propose radical excision and lateral thoracic flap reconstruction as a treatment option for such cases. In our experience with two patients, good aesthetic and functional outcomes were achieved, with a high level of patient satisfaction. The availability of suitable flap coverage allows for wide resection of all of the hair-bearing skin, leading to a low incidence of residual disease and subsequent recurrence. Following excision of the affected tissue, the ideal reconstructive method in the axilla provides suitable coverage without unacceptable donor site morbidity and also avoids axillary contractures. A long lateral thoracic flap with delay has excellent coverage with minimal donor tissue sacrifice. With a suitable flap coverage option, the management paradigm of intractable HS should shift from prolonged medical treatment to allow decisive radical excision, which will improve the quality of life for patients.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Axilla ; Biological Agents ; Contracture ; Hidradenitis ; Hidradenitis Suppurativa ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Incidence ; Patient Satisfaction ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Retinoids ; Skin ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Donors

Aged ; Delusional Parasitosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychotropic Drugs ; administration & dosage ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; Retrospective Studies ; Risperidone ; administration & dosage ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Symptom Assessment ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTION: To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donor (BD), haemodialysis (HD) and intravenous drug user (IVDU) populations in Singapore and assess the IL28B polymorphism if HCV positive. METHODS: The BD population were healthy volunteers, the HD population were patients who were on haemodialysis for at least six months of follow-up between January 2009 and December 2014. IVDU population was from inmates at halfway houses who consented. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2014, of 161,658 individuals who underwent screening prior to blood donation, 95 (0.059%) were positive for HCV. Of the 42 sera available, common genotypes (GTs) were GT-3 (47.6%) and GT-1 (31.0%). Of 1,575 HD patients, 2.2% were anti-HCV positive. The HCV GT distribution was HCV GT-1 (32.4%), HCV GT-3 (20.5%) and GT-6 (8.8%). 83 halfway house inmates were screened. Of the 47 IVDUs, 36.2% were anti-HCV positive with predominant GT-3 (%). IL28B polymorphism was noted to be CC predominantly 85.3%. CONCLUSION Prevalence of HCV infection has decreased in both the BD and HD populations. However, it remains high in the IVDU population. GT-1 remains the most common in the HD population; however, GT-3 infection is now more common among the BD population in Singapore. IL28B - CC is the predominant variant among the HCV-infected individuals in Singapore.
Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; complications ; Adult ; Alleles ; Blood Donors ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; blood ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Blood Donors ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Humans ; Interferons ; Prevalence