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Biomedical subjects

T Estlander

Publications and source records attributed to T Estlander.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Occupational pharyngitis associated with allergic patch test reactions from acrylics.

A female dentist specialized in orthodontics repeatedly developed symptoms of pharyngitis at work. A chamber provocation test indicated that her symptoms were caused by acrylics. Prick tests with acrylics were negative, while patch tests were strongly positive although the patient had no skin symptoms. The relationship between the symptoms and the patch test results is discussed. It is suggested that type IV allergic reactions may be involved in symptoms of the upper respiratory tract.

Bronchial Provocation Tests

Contact dermatitis from telefax paper.

A nonatopic female secretary developed hand dermatitis after 1 year of full-time work with telefax paper. Her dermatitis improved on sick leave and vacation and relapsed at work. Patch testing showed allergic reactions to several fragrances, balsam of Peru, colophony and neomycin. In 3 patch test sessions, her own telefax papers gave a doubtful reaction which persisted for 4 days, but it could not be determined whether the reactions were allergic or irritant. The colophony content of the telefax paper was about 1%, and it was possible that colophony in the telefax paper was responsible for the weak path test reactions. Accordingly, the contact dermatitis would have been allergic. The patient has now been relocated, does not handle telefax paper, and is symptomless. We concluded that our patient had an occupational hand contact dermatitis induced by telefax paper and possibly caused by colophony allergy.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact

Occupational dermatitis from exposure to polyurethane chemicals.

In addition to asthma, contact dermatitis may also develop from occupational contact with polyurethane (PU) chemicals. 6 cases of allergic contact dermatitis from exposure to PU chemicals were diagnosed in 1974-1990. The present paper summarizes the results and gives detailed descriptions of 3 such patients. 3 patients were allergic to 5 different diisocyanates (DICs), including 4,4'-diphenylmethane DIC (MDI), toluene DIC (TDI), 1,6-hexamethylene DIC (HID), and furthermore to diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA). 3 patients were sensitized by exposure to MDI. 2 of these reacted to MDI and MDA, and 1 to TDI in addition. 1 of the 3 patients reacted only to MDA, possibly formed by hydrolysis of MDI. Primary sensitization to MDA and cross-allergy to MDI could explain the reactions of the patients exposed to MDI, but separate sensitization may also be possible. Patch tests with fresh petrolatum (pet.) mixtures were first made and a 2% concentration was recommended for MDI and TDI. In order to determine the stability of DIC test substances, the last 2 patients were tested with old test substances. Tests with MDI 1.5% pet. and TDI 1.5% pet., 5.5 months and 15.5 months old, were positive. The results suggest that, when allergy to PU chemicals is suspected, patch tests should include, in addition to MDA, at least MDI and TDI 1.5-2% pet. They also suggest that test substances can be used for over a year, and that allergy to MDA may point to MDI exposure contained in PU chemicals.

Adult

Allergy and toxicodermia from shiitake mushrooms.

Skin and respiratory symptoms developed within 2 months of exposure in a patient involved in the commercial production of shiitake mushrooms. A diagnosis of contact urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis from shiitake mushrooms was confirmed by prick and patch tests. The respiratory symptoms, their timing, the presence of precipitating IgG antibodies to shiitake spores and increased amounts of inflammatory cells and T lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage indicated allergic alveolitis (mushroom worker's disease). A generalized exanthem developed in a second patient after eating raw shiitake mushrooms. Reactions to prick and patch tests with shiitake mushrooms were negative. The skin eruption in this patient corresponded to the previously reported shiitake-induced toxicodermia.

Adult

Occupational urticaria from welding polyurethane.

An urticarial reaction associated with high fever developed in a welder on four occasions while he was welding steel profiles filled with polyurethane. The fumes emitted during pyrolysis of polyurethane and inhaled by the patient probably caused the urticarial reaction. Provocation tests with two pyrolysis products, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and 4,4-diaminophenylmethane, were negative. This case demonstrates the difficulty in detecting the cause of urticaria induced by airborne chemicals.

Adult

Allergy from cellulase and xylanase enzymes.

Modern biotechnical methods have enabled production of many new types of potentially allergenic proteins. Enzymes have long been known to be respiratory allergens, but relatively few cases of skin allergy have been reported. Here we describe four patients who developed occupational allergic respiratory symptoms, three with bronchial asthma and one with allergic rhinitis, caused by cellulase and/or xylanase enzymes. Each patient also had urticarial symptoms after skin contact with these enzymes. In addition, one of the patients had allergic contact dermatitis from cellulase, and one from xylanase. Allergic contact dermatitis was verified by positive patch tests with the enzymes, and the immediate allergy was revealed by skin prick tests, specific IgE determinations (RAST) and RAST-inhibition tests. All patients had positive RASTs to both cellulase and xylanase. In the RAST inhibition test 20 microliters of cellulase brought about a 94% inhibition, indicating the specificity of the RAST. Xylanase (20 microliters, 5% w/v) gave an 92% inhibition of cellulase RAST, indicating cross-reactivity between cellulase and xylanase. Three patients have been able to continue at their previous places of work, but at different worksites. One of the patients requires continuous medication for asthma and had to change her job because of persistent symptoms.

Adult

Allergic contact dermatitis from non-diglycidyl-ether-of-bisphenol-A epoxy resins.

In addition to previously presented patients with allergic contact dermatitis from cycloaliphatic epoxy resins (ERs), during 1974-1990, we have seen 4 patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by products containing uncured non-diglycidyl-ether-of-bisphenol-A ER. The patients were negative on patch testing with the standard ER based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA-ER). The following non-DGEBA-ERs were included in the causative agents: heterocyclic dimethylhydantoin ER, phenol novolak ER, and brominated ER. We were unable to specify the type of ER in an epoxy primer used by the 4th patient. Apart from the ACD caused by the brominated ER, 1 of the patients also had IgE-mediated occupational rhinitis caused by methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA), an epoxy hardener. The diagnosis was verified by positive prick tests and specific IgE determinations with MHHPA. Intense rhinitis evoked by a bronchial challenge with MHHPA confirmed the diagnosis. We stress the importance of performing patch testing with the relevant epoxy resins to which the patient has been exposed, in addition to patch testing with the standard ER.

Adult

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by nitroglycerin.

Irritant contact dermatitis caused by occupational contact with nitroglycerin has been known since the end of the last century. Nitroglycerin is an allergen, and the transdermal drug delivery systems for nitroglycerin recently used to treat angina pectoris have sensitized. 4 patients with allergic contact dermatitis caused by nitroglycerin from explosives are described, and 1 patient who was sensitized by transdermal nitroplaster. On patch testing, dynamite and/or the explosive components nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate and dinitrotoluene gave allergic reactions. The following concentrations and vehicles are suggested for patch testing: nitroglycerin 0.5-2% pet., dinitrotoluene and ethylene glycol dinitrate 0.1-0.5% pet. Persons exposed to nitroglycerin at work should try to avoid skin contact by using protective gloves. It is advisable that those who have become allergic to nitroglycerin should wear disposable protective gloves when handling explosives.

Adult

Immediate and delayed allergy from epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A.

This case report presents two patients with immediate and delayed allergy to epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA). In patch testing, the epoxy resin (DGEBA-based) of the standard series gave allergic reactions. Both patients had a prick test reaction of histamine size or larger to the human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate of DGEBA-based epoxy resins. One had been occupationally exposed to methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and had a histamine-size prick test reaction to the HSA conjugate of MTHPA; the other did not react to the conjugate. Determinations of specific immunoglobulin E were carried out with HSA-DGEBA conjugates, two DGEBA-based epoxy resins, and phthalic anhydrides. The first patient had positive tests to DGEBA, the DGEBA-based epoxy resins, and two phthalic anhydrides, and the second to DGEBA and the DGEBA-based epoxy resins, but not to the phthalic anhydrides.

Adult

Long-lasting contact urticaria from castor bean.

Type I (immediate) and type IV (delayed) allergic reactions to castor bean developed in a stockroom worker in a coffee roasting plant. The exceptionally strong contact urticarial patch rest reaction persisted for more than 48 hours and was therefore called "long-lasting contact urticaria." Light and electron microscopic observations indicated that eosinophils and mast cells were activated and participated in patch test reactions, which include both type I and type IV allergic reactions. Although patch testing is an absolute prerequisite for an accurate diagnosis of delayed allergy, it should be stressed that skin tests should not be performed with castor bean because of its toxicity and potential danger.

Ricinus communis

Occupational dermatoses from epoxy resin compounds.

This study comprises 40 patients with skin disorders from current or previous occupational exposure to epoxy resin compounds (ERC) during 1984-1988. ERCs were the 3rd most common cause (32 of 264 cases: 12.1%) of currently relevant allergic contact dermatitis: 23 cases from epoxy resins based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA-ERs), 5 from reactive diluents, 1 from amine hardeners (DETA), and 3 from epoxy acrylates. 2 cases (0.8%) of irritant contact dermatitis were due to ERCs. Methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA, an epoxy hardener) caused 1 case of contact urticaria. Previously relevant occupational allergic contact dermatitis from DGEBA-ERs was detected in 5 cases. On patch testing, ERC allergens gave the following positive reactions: epoxy resin of the standard series in 35 cases (4.0% of 870 tested), epoxy reactive diluents in 10 (7.1% of 140), cycloaliphatic epoxy resins in 4 (11.1% of 36), epoxy acrylates in 4 (4.5% of 88), and amine compounds commonly used as epoxy hardeners in 17. Despite extensive patch test series, testing with patients' own ERCs remains important.

Chromatography, Gas

Long-lasting contact urticaria. Type I and type IV allergy from castor bean and a hypothesis of systemic IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis.

A unique urticarial type I patch-test reaction to castor bean that persisted for more than 48 hours and was followed by a delayed type IV reaction is described. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic observations indicated involvement of eosinophils and IgE receptors on Langerhans' cells. The authors present a scheme for the role of Langerhans' cells in skin allergy.

Biopsy

Allergic contact dermatitis from dental composite resins due to aromatic epoxy acrylates and aliphatic acrylates.

7 patients were occupationally sensitized to dental composite resin products (DCR): 6 dental nurses and 1 dentist. All had a positive patch test to their DCR. 2 independent types of allergy were seen; (a) aromatic epoxy acrylate, and/or (b) aliphatic acrylates. 4 out of 5 patients reacted to BIS-GMA, the most widely used aromatic epoxy acrylate in DCR, but not the dentist. She and 2 dental nurses were allergic to aliphatic acrylates, including triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TREGDMA) and triethylene diglycol diacrylate (TREGDA). 4 patients were allergic to epoxy resin (ER) (containing mainly MW 340), possibly an impurity in some DCR. 2 patients were also allergic to methyl methacrylate (MMA): the dentist, had been exposed to MMA, but the nurse's exposure was uncertain. 1 patient was also allergic to rubber gloves, 2 to rubber chemicals but not their gloves, and 5 to disinfectants used. diagnosis was delayed as long as 13 years in spite of previous patch testing. Dermatologists need to use the patients' own DCR and the (meth)acrylate series for patch testing. No dental nurses could continue their occupation, but the dentist could occasionally handle DCR if wearing PVC gloves. Dental personnel need to know about the risks of DCR, and use no-touch techniques and protective gloves.

Acrylic Resins