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Biomedical subjects

G Chabeau

Publications and source records attributed to G Chabeau.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

The skin allergenic properties of chemicals may depend on contaminants--evidence from studies on coumarin.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Positive patch tests are considered representative of a contact allergy to the tested chemical. However, contaminants and derivatives rather than the suspected chemical itself could be responsible for the allergic skin reactions. Here, we tested the importance of contaminants in the sensitizing and allergenic properties of coumarin in mice and humans. Coumarin, an ingredient in cosmetics and fragrances, was chosen as the reference chemical since conflicting results have been obtained regarding its ability to induce contact allergy. In some chemical preparations, this could be explained by the presence of coumarin derivatives endowed with allergenic properties. METHODS: In mice, three different coumarin preparations were tested in the local lymph node assay. In humans, we assessed the irritant and allergenic properties of highly pure coumarin in nonallergic and fragrance-allergic patients. RESULTS: Pure coumarin did not exhibit irritant or sensitizing properties in the local lymph node assay. In contrast, two other commercially available coumarins and three contaminants that were detected in these coumarin preparations were identified as weak and moderate sensitizers, respectively. In humans, pure coumarin was extremely well tolerated since only 1 out of 512 patients exhibited a positive patch test to the chemical. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that coumarin cannot be considered as a common contact allergen and further emphasize that purity of chemicals is mandatory for the assessment of their allergenicity.

Adult↗

Nickel release from stainless steels.

In 1994, a study of nickel release and allergic contact dermatitis from nickel-plated metals and stainless steels was published in this journal. It was shown that low-sulfur stainless steel grades like AISI 304, 316L or 430 (S < or = 0.007%) release less than 0.03 microgram/cm2/week of nickel in acid artificial sweat and elicit no reactions in patients already sensitized to nickel. In contrast, nickel-plated samples release around 100 micrograms/cm2/week of Ni and high-sulfur stainless steel (AISI 303-S approximately 0.3%) releases about 1.5 micrograms/cm2/week in this acid artificial sweat. Applied on patients sensitized to nickel, these metals elicit positive reactions in 96% and 14%, respectively, of the patients. The main conclusion was that low-sulfur stainless steels like AISI 304, 316L or 430, even when containing Ni, should not elicit nickel contact dermatitis, while metals having a mean corrosion resistance like a high-sulfur stainless steel (AISI 303) or nickel-plated steel should be avoided. The determining characteristic was in fact the corrosion resistance in chloride media, which, for stainless steels, is connected, among other factors, to the sulfur content. Thus, a question remained concerning the grades with an intermediate sulfur content, around 0.03%, which were not studied. They are the object of the study presented in this paper. 3 tests were performed: leaching experiments, dimethylglyoxime and HNO3 spot tests, and clinical patch tests; however, only stainless steels were tested: a low-sulfur AISI 304 and AISI 303 as references and 3 grades with a sulfur content around 0.03%: AISI 304L, AISI 304L added with Ca, AISI 304L+Cu. Leaching experiments showed that the 4 non-resulfurised grades released less than 0.5 microgram/cm2/week in acid sweat while the reulfurized AISI 303 released around or more than 0.5 microgram/cm2/week. This is explained by the poorer corrosion resistance of the resulfurized grade. Yet all these grades had the same reaction to the DMG test (negative result), which shows again its lack of sensitivity. In contrast, the HNO3 spot test distinguished AISI 303 from the non-resulfurized grades. Clinical patch tests again showed that some patients (4%) were intolerant to AISI 303, while none were intolerant to the other grades. Thus, this study confirms that non-resulfurized stainless steels (S < or = 0.03%) like Ni-containing 304 and 304L should not elicit Ni contact dermatitis, while the resulfurized grades (S > 0.1%) should be avoided.

Adolescent↗

Dissociation of allergenic and immunogenic functions in contact sensitivity to para-phenylenediamine.

Contact sensitivity to para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a frequent delayed-type hypersensitivity resulting in contact dermatitis. The aim of the present study, conducted in 16 patients allergic to PPD (as assessed by a positive patch test), was to get better insight into the mechanism of T-cell activation in PPD contact sensitivity. PPD was unable to induce significant proliferation of T cells from a first set of 9 patients. In 7 further patients, lymphocyte proliferation was assessed using PPD and 2 PPD metabolites, namely Brandrowski's base (BB) and benzoquinone (BQ). BB specifically stimulated T-cell proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion in all 7 patients whereas BQ, like PPD, was ineffective. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 8 PPD nonallergic individuals did not respond to either PPD, BB or BQ. We concluded from this study that: (1) the immunogenic hapten in PPD hypersensitivity is not PPD itself, and (2) BB might be the oxidative derivative of PPD endowed with T-cell-activating properties. Further support to this statement was provided by the observation that a T cell line derived from PBMC of a PPD-allergic patient in the presence of PPD responded to BB but not to PPD. Our in vitro results suggest that PPD is a prohapten which when applied on the skin is metabolized and converted into products (such as BB) which are the immunogenic haptens able to activate specific T cells.

Benzoquinones↗

[Multicenter survey related to the frequency of positive patch tests with mercury and thiomersal].

A multicentric study concerning the frequency of positive allergic patch test reactions to mercury and to thiomersal has been conducted in France and in Belgium among 2,000 adult patients submitted to routine patch testing. 73 (3.6 p. 100) patients had a positive patch test to mercury and 47 (2.3 p. 100) to thiomersal, 22 (1.1 p. 100) reacted positively to both mercurials. These high figures are most probably in relation with a broad use of mercurials in both countries, as antiseptics as well as preservative agents in topical drugs. They lead to a careful use of mercurials, which have to be avoided when they can be advantageously replaced by other antiseptics or preservative agents. As far as cosmetics are concerned, the use of mercurials (chemical nature and concentration) is restricted by a Recommendation of the European Council.

Adult↗

Contact dermatitis after transcutaneous electric analgesia.

Transcutaneous electric analgesia, based on the gate control theory, is used in stump pain, lumbar pain, traumatic pain following nerve damage and sciatic neuralgia. 3 patients using this method, showed contact dermatitis at the sites of contact of the electrodes. Patch tests were positive with the electrolyte gel, and in 2 cases, with propylene glycol. Transcutaneous electric analgesia may cause a certain number of side effects similar to those encountered with electrocardiography.

Adult↗

[Allergy to preservatives].

This study concerns 465 patients with dermatitis. The clinical history suggested allergy to cosmetics, drugs, industrial products or clothes. These patients were tested with 29 preservatives chosen among the most frequently employed or most sensitising products. Seven french clinics of Dermatology were involved in this study during one year. The patients' age varied between 2 years old and 80 years old. Positive reactions were seen mostly with formaldehyde (4.7 p. 100), Bronopol (4.7 p. 100), ammoniated mercury chloride (3.8 p. 100), benzoic acid (2.1 p. 100), sodium benzoate (1.9 p. 100), parabens (1.9 p. 100), dichlorophen (1.7 p. 100), chloracetamid (1.5 p. 100), benzyl benzoate (1.5 p. 100), Germall 115 (1.2 p. 100), butylhydroxyanisol (1 p. 100) and Dowicil (0.8 p. 100). The incidence of sensitivity to formaldehyde, Bronopol, ammoniated mercury chloride is too high; their use should decrease. Patients sensitive to benzoic acid, benzyl benzoate are not rare. Chloracetamid whose frequency of uses seems to be rather low is a very sensitising product. Parabens which are widely used were seldom found positive; nearly all cases are caused by topical medications.

Adolescent↗

Eau de Javel and prevention of chromate allergy in France.

"Eau de Javel" (liquid bleach) is a common cause of chromate contact allergy. A historical review explains the reasons for the addition of sodium dichromate after the First World War. The chromium content in different brands of eau de Javel has been determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the chromium content is very low (0.03--3.65 mg/l) in French brands, whereas it is still important (7.06--82.9 mg/l) in Belgian brands, such an observation indicates that the almost complete removal of chromate in most brands of French eaux de Javel is a good example of prevention in the field of contact dermato-alllergology.

Belgium↗

[Allergologic studies of intolerance to rosin].

Patch-tests made in 13 persons who were allergic to colophony revealed quite different allergologic profiles. Some patients reacted only to abietylic alcohol while others did not react to abietic acid. Methylabietate used as plasticizer in sticking-plasters and especially "hypoallergic" ones, had an allergizing effect in 6 out of 12 cases.

Abietanes↗

[Allergy to rosin caused by patch tests].

5 commercial patch-test-products were investigated by gas chromatography. Colophony was detected in three of the products, and the allergen was found in the adhesive component.

Adhesives↗

Eczemas due to plant allergens in manufactured products.

Intolerance to plant allergens in manufactured products is widespread. Results of epidemiological investigations in STRASBOURG are given. The rate of allergy to sesquiterpenic lactones has fallen since 1974, due to the fact that the use of an ointment containing these lactones has decreased. Disguised forms of allergens are reviewed, for instance limonene of Niaouli oil (Biogaze), colophony of "hypoallergenic" tapes or of testing material. Chemical investigations are useful in prevention and in allergological control of medicaments.

Allergens↗

[Investigation of the allergens of colophony and its derivatives used in the manufacture of sticking-plasters (author's transl)].

Colophony and its derivatives play an important part in intolerances to sticking-plasters. Gas chromatography revealed resinic acids (derivatives) in numerous products of that kind, even in the so-called "hypoallergic" ones. The profiles of the resinic acids contained in some sticking-plasters that are sold in several countries under identic names, are rather different. The results of physicochemical analysis of Elastoplaste, the normal French product, and of a "hypoallergic" product, coincide with the results of allergologic studies.

Adhesives↗