Standardization of the containers: A new challenge?

Season’s Greetings on this festive occasion. As we celebrate the joy of a new year, the Journal of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (JSSTD) acknowledge the contributors reviewers and editors who support the journal.

This issue of JSSTD includes a pioneering study by Jerald et al.^[1] on fingertip unit (FTU) measurements for precise topical therapy application in the Indian context. This study shows that the rule of thumb of FTU may not be applicable in the subcontinent due to lack of standardization of the tubes in which the medications are dispensed. It shows the importance of standardizing tubes in improving treatment accuracy, and minimizing steroid overuse. It suggests that the issue of container standardization is to be addressed seriously by the regulators.

Another study, “Comparison of low-dose and standard-dose rituximab (rheumatoid arthritis protocol) in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: A retrospective observational study,” evaluates rituximab dosing and shows that low-dose regimens achieve comparable remission rates at reduced cost and with fewer infusions.^[2] This study, though retrospective, is likely to lead to more prospective studies defining the ideal rituximab regimen for the treatment of pemphigus. The comparison reveals that low-dose protocol matches standard 1 g regimens in pemphigus control, optimizing resource use in developing countries. Furthermore, in this issue, Aswal et al. highlighted diagnostic challenges and management of genital dermatophytosis in women in “Study of tinea genitalis in adult females in a tertiary care center.”^[3] Tinea genitalis often mimics other infections, with this study providing epidemiological data from India to guide antifungal strategies amid rising resistance.

A review of Trichophyton Indotineae by Vineetha et al. discusses the current knowledge about the new agent that continues to cause a silent pandemic.^[4]

This issue also carries interesting case reports, brief reports, communications, quizzes, etc.

Let me thank all my team members who supported another year of JSSTD.