1/114. An epidemic of occupational contact dermatitis from an immersion oil for microscopy in laboratory personnel.Since November 1997, 14 successive cases of occupational contact dermatitis were observed in 13 laboratory technicians and 1 physician, working in a genetics laboratory in Leuven (belgium) in 3 laboratories of bacteriology in Strasbourg, Montbeliard and Angers, and in the laboratory of hematology in Bordeaux (france). The dermatitis, located on the hands, forearms and face, relapsed after each exposure to an immersion oil for microscopy. patch tests performed in 10 patients were positive to epoxy resin (ER) in the European standard series (10/10 patients) and to newly formulated Leica immersion oil (7/7), 1 patient testing negatively with the former oil. A breakdown performed in 2 patients with the oil's ingredients confirmed sensitization to liquid modified ER components, contained at >80% concentration in the oil. The presence of DGEBA was demonstrated by HPLC analysis at a /-30% rate. Although the safety data sheet indicated a revision of the formula, nobody was alerted to the risk of sensitization and the need for skin protection. ERs, as a source of occupational allergy, can provoke epidemics of contact dermatitis in industry. This report of epidemic contact dermatitis from ERs, used for their optical properties in an immersion oil for microscopy, emphasizes the need for perpetual vigilance in occupational medicine and the usefulness of multicentre contacts in dermato-allergology.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/114. tobacco allergy: demonstration of cross-reactivity with other members of solanaceae family and mugwort pollen.BACKGROUND: tobacco is a plant belonging to the solanaceae family. This plant is usually used as a contact insecticide for several infestations in some areas, such as the Canary islands. Allergy induced by inhalation of this plant is unusual. Identification of the potential allergen in growing areas is essential. OBJECTIVE: We report a patient with occupational sensitivity to an aqueous solution of cut tobacco whose clinical manifestations were rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. Past medical history was significant for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to mugwort pollen and oral allergy syndrome with avocado. methods: Green tobacco and cured tobacco leaf extracts were prepared, skin prick tests were performed with green tobacco, cured tobacco leaf extracts, and certain aeroallergens. Conjunctival challenge test was carried out with green tobacco and cured tobacco leaf extract. serum-specific IgE against tobacco leaf was performed by commercial CAP. CAP inhibition experiments were carried out with tobacco and artemisia vulgaris. RESULTS: skin prick tests and conjunctival challenge tests with green tobacco and cured tobacco leaf extracts were positive, as well as serum-specific IgE by CAP, indicating an IgE-mediated sensitization. CAP inhibition experiments were carried out and it was found that tobacco, mugwort pollen, and tomato extracts inhibited the binding of the patient's serum to solid-phase tobacco leaf. No inhibition was observed when alternaria, D. pteronyssinus, and potato were used as control inhibitors. Inhibition of immunoCAP to mugwort was obtained with mugwort and tobacco extracts and no cross-reactivity to D. pteronyssinus was shown. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that tobacco can induce IgE-mediated reactions that are mediated by the existence of common antigenic epitopes between tobacco and mugwort pollen. This allergy can be a hazard of employment in the agricultural areas.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/114. Laboratory assistant's occupational allergic airborne contact dermatitis from nickel presenting as rosacea.A male laboratory assistant working in a metallurgical laboratory with airborne exposure to nickel dust developed highly pruritic, rosacea-like symptoms. The symptoms cleared within eight days without treatment when the patient was off work. Patch testing confirmed nickel allergy. Based on the patient's work and clinical history it was evident that occupational exposure to airborne nickel induced the highly abnormal rosacea-like symptoms, not previously reported from nickel.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/114. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from olive oil in a masseur.Contact allergy to olive oil is considered rare. There are 20 cases of contact allergy to olive oil described, and 3 of these had an occupational hand eczema as a result of olive oil. We describe a masseur who was allergic to olive oil, resulting in an occupational hand eczema. Both patch tests and a use test with olive oil was undertaken. An oral provocation with olive oil was also performed. Both patch tests were positive, as was the use test after 2 days. The oral provocation test was negative. Despite contact allergy to olive oil being rare, sensitization occurs. The external use of olive oil should be discouraged, at least in masseurs, when used under occlusion, and in long-standing dermatoses.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/114. Protein contact dermatitis in food workers. Case report of a meat sorter and summary of seven other cases.Protein contact dermatitis (PCD) in food handlers is caused by a type I allergy to foods. We report a 17-year-old meat sorter who presented with hand dermatitis. patch tests with the standard series were negative. Prick testing was positive with lamb liver, ox liver and a mixture of lamb and beef blood. We also summarize seven cases of other food workers with PCD.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/114. Allergic contact dermatitis to plastic banknotes.Allergic contact dermatitis to ultraviolet (UV) cured acrylates occurs predominantly in occupationally exposed workers. Two men presented with dermatitis coinciding with the location of banknotes in their pockets. Patch testing confirmed allergic contact dermatitis to multiple acrylates and Australian plastic banknotes. This is the first report of contact allergy to acrylates present in Australian plastic banknotes.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/114. Occupational induction of hypersensitivity after an accidental exposure to chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (CMI/MI) in an industrial worker.A process worker in a paper chemical plant developed an immediate local dermal irritation and delayed bullous dermatitis due to induction of hypersensitivity following an accidental exposure to chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (CMI/MI) biocide. Contact allergy to the isothiazolinone mixture was confirmed by skin patch testing. The dermatitis healed in four weeks, and the worker was advised to avoid all CMI/MI containing products. In a one-year follow-up he did not present with any further skin symptoms. Preventive measures are important for avoiding induction of hypersensitivity to concentrated CMI/MI solutions in industrial workers.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/114. Epoxy resin allergy from microscopy immersion oil.A bacteriology technical officer presented with episodes of burning pruritus and urticarial-like lesions on the face and forearms. Patch testing was strongly positive for epoxy resin. The exposure was occupational to the re-formulation of microscopy immersion oil.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/114. Allergic contact dermatitis to fraxinus americanus and Macherium acutifolium.Contact allergy to tropical hardwoods and domestic woods are well documented in the literature. The authors document a case of contact allergy to both types of wood in a woodworking artisan.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/114. Occupational IgE-mediated allergy to tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle).BACKGROUND: We report on IgE-mediated allergy in a worker caused by tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle). These beetles lived in the "old" flour to which he was exposed in his work. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old, nonatopic mechanic in a rye crispbread factory developed rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms, as well as urticaria on his wrists, lower arms, hands, neck, and face, during the maintenance and repair of machines contaminated by flour. This flour had been in and on the machines for a long time, and it contained small beetles. The patient did not suffer any symptoms when handling fresh, clean flour. RESULTS: skin prick tests with standard environmental allergens, storage mites, enzymes, flours, and molds were negative. A prick test with flour from the machines gave a 10-mm reaction. An open application of the same flour caused urticarial whealing on the exposed skin. Prick tests with fresh flour from the factory were negative. A prick test with minced T. confusum from the flour in the machines gave a 7-mm reaction. histamine hydrochloride 10 mg/ml gave a 7-mm reaction. Specific serum IgE antibodies to T. confusum were elevated at 17.2 kU/l. Prick tests with the flour from the machines were negative in five control patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had occupational contact urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms from exposure to flour. His symptoms were caused by immediate allergy to the beetle T. confusum. Immediate allergy to this beetle has rarely been reported in connection with respiratory symptoms, but it may be more common. Contact urticaria from this source has not been reported before.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7keywords = allergy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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