J Formos Med Assoc
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Skin diseases are common in children. Epidemiologic studies of skin diseases in schoolchildren performed by direct inspection by dermatologists are limited in Taiwan. The current study surveyed the prevalence of selected childhood dermatoses in Magong City, Penghu, the largest offshore island of Taiwan. ⋯ Compared with our previous study in Kaohsiung County using similar methodology, the point prevalence of atopic dermatitis and ephelides was significantly higher whereas that of fungal infection was lower in Penghu. Unexpectedly, tinea nigra was not rare in Penghu.
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Clinicians need to decide whether to begin isolation and empiric therapy for patients suspected of having infectious tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to identify the demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-positive patients and to create a smear-positive TB prediction rule, which clinicians may use to predict risk. ⋯ The smear-positive TB prediction model may help clinicians decide if a patient with pending sputum smear results should first be placed in isolation and empiric anti-tuberculous therapy started.