[Euphorbiae keratoconjunctivitis].

Abstract

This paper reports on 6 cases of keratoconjunctivitis caused by the latex of Euphorbiaceae, one of them with slight systemic intoxication. Phorbolesters are considered to be responsible for the toxicity of the latex of Euphorbiaceae, e.g., in the case of Euphorbia helioscopia, 12-Desoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate-2-O-acetate. Since all of the cases of keratoconjunctivitis Euphorbiae described here, as well as the majority of those cited in the literature, have resulted in a restitutio ad integrum, a benign course may be expected, even in cases of keratoconjunctivitis Euphorbiae with initially severe clinical pictures.