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Abstract: Previous toxicology and pharmacology studies have reported variable acute cardiac effects of capsaicin, primarily involving hypotension and bradycardia. However, these studies have suffered from two important limitations. First, the capsaicin tested has been derived from pepper plant extracts, which is likely to display varying degrees of purity and possibly diverse impurity profiles. Second, post-dosing follow-up was generally limited to three or fewer days. Therefore, the objective of the studies reported here was to test the cardiac and other target organ toxicity potential of pure, synthetic trans-capsaicin (the only naturally occurring stereoisomer of capsaicin) when delivered via intravenous administration to dogs either acutely or for 14 days. Taken together, results from these two studies indicate that pure trans-capsaicin—even when delivered directly into the systemic circulation at high dose levels—is rapidly eliminated, induces transient tachycardia and hypertension, does not alter the duration of cardiac action potentials, and causes only very minimal organ toxicities. The different toxicity profiles of pure trans-capsaicin reported here and chili pepper extracts previously reported suggest that the purity and source of capsaicin should be an important consideration for toxicological evaluations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Exposure to wood dusts may cause various skin and mucosal symptoms. Allergic dermatoses, caused by wood dusts, diagnosed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health during 1976–1999 are reported here. 16 had allergic contact dermatitis and, 2 had contact urticaria. 9 men (3 cabinet makers, 3 joiners, 1 carpenter, 1 knifemaker and 1 machinist) were mainly exposed to tropical hardwoods. 1 man had dermatitis caused by western red cedar. 5 patients, 3 men and 2 women, were exposed to Finnish pine or spruce dusts, and 1 man to aspen. 7 also had rhinitis, 4 asthma or dyspnoea and 3 conjunctivitis. On patch testing, 10 men reacted to 9 different wood dusts, including teak (5), palisander (3), jacaranda (2), mahogany (2), walnut (2) and obeche (1). Reactions to wood allergens, including lapachol (2), deoxylapachol (1), (R)-3,4-dimethoxydahlbergione (2), 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (1), mansonone A (2) and salicyl alcohol (1), were noted in 4 cases. All but 1 of 5 patients exposed to pine or spruce dusts reacted to the sawdusts, all 5 to colophonium, 3 to abietic acid, 2 to tall oil resin, 3 to wood tar mix and 4 to other wood gum resins. Of the 2 CU patients, 1 was prick and RAST positive to obeche, 1 reacted with urticarial dermatitis to punah wood dust on chamber exposure. Occupational allergic dermatoses are mainly caused by the dusts of hardwoods, mostly due to Type IV allergy, but may also be caused by softwood dusts. Patch tests can be done with wood dusts, but should be confirmed by patch testing with wood allergens if possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants from the Verbenaceae family may cause contact dermatitis of unknown nature. This report describes 2 cases of allergic reactions to the Verbena species. A teenage boy developed an anaphylactic allergic response following contact with the leaves of Verbena hybrida. Characterization of the patient's specific IgE response to Verbena hybrida, using Western blots and autoradiography, identified the specific 62000 Dalton allergen present in the verbena leaves to which the patient reacted. This is the first report of an IgE-mediated immediate contact hypersensitivity reaction to Verbena hybrida, a common perennial in South African gardens. The other case was a 23-year-old female gardener who developed immediate and delayed-type contact dermatitis from Verbena elegans 'Cleopatra' produced in a Danish nursery. Prick tests to plant material were considered positive and of an allergic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We described an outbreak of contact dermatitis in a tulip bulb processing company. Shortly after the introduction of a new pesticide the fungicide fluazinam, employees started to complain of dermatitis of the arms and the face 8 employees were investigated and showed positive patch test to fluazinam. The dermatitis disappeared quickly when they stopped work, but return as soon they restarted. Subsequent investigations showed that the fungicide had not been used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Fluazinam was shown to be a strong sensitizer under these circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the case of a non-smoking and non-atopic male, exposed to iridium chloride at work, who developed respiratory tract symptoms and contact urticaria. Application of iridium salt to normal skin caused contact urticaria. An iridium chloride prick test showed a positive reaction and a scratch test produced anaphylactoid reactions. Platinum salt allergy was excluded through prick testing with hexachioroplatinate solution. There is no previous report describing a case where an individual has a positive prick test reaction to iridium salts and simultaneously a negative one to platinum salts. The results are interpreted as immediate-type hypersensitivity (Type I allergy?) to iridium salt. The route of sensitization was probably through the airways. Further testing showed that iridium salt allergy could persist for at least 18 months after exposure ceases. 14 employees at the same factory were prick tested with iridium and platinum salts with negative results. Prick testing is recommended as a method of first choice when investigating a person with suspected iridium salt allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review is an update of a previously published one on airborne-induced contact dermatoses. Because reports in the literature often omit the term 'airborne'. 12 volumes of Contact Dermatitis (July 1985-April 1991) were screened, and the cases cited were classified as to history, lesion locations, causative agents, and other factors. The number of reports of airborne dermatoses has increased considerably in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2 patients with acute allergic contact dermatitis from 3-(aminomethyl)-pyridyl salicylate arc described. Both patients were females with histories of urticaria and showed cross-sensitization to substances of the pant group. Clinical manifestations included eczema, angiocdema and respiratory effects. Ir. I patient, airborne elicitation was suspected. A lymphocyte transformation test confirmed the allergy. with an extremely high response index. 35 normal controls were negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

30 patients who had experienced contact urticaria after exposure to gloves, contraceptives, balloons or dental cofferdams went through a detailed examination including interviews on: exposure to rubber; local and distant symptoms; provocation test; skin prick test with (among other substances) latex extracts from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis; patch testing, IgE and RAST analyses, 23 patients (77%) reported additional symptoms from distant organs. 13 belonged to medical occupations; 25 were classified as atopics based on history; 21 had raised IgE-values; 25 were RAST-positive to the extracts from Hevea brasiliensis, 13 had a pre-existing hand dermatitis, of whom 6 were patch test positive to standard allergens. Skin prick tests with extracts from Hevea brasiliensis were the most sensitive diagnostic tool, while the RAST analysis was positive in 25/30 cases. These tests and analysis including RAST were negative in 40 control subjects. Provocation tests are of great value, but difficult to standardize. Several patients reported severe reactions at medical and dental examination/treatment situations (surgical gloves, dental cofferdams), and the risk of life-threatening anaphylactic reaction is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case of contact urticaria resulting from watermelon in a patient with pollen allergy. Allergies to fruits and vegetables associated with pollen sensitivity have previously been reported. Diagnostic features can include lip irritation, octiema, gastro-intestinal symptoms, urticaria and anaphylactic shock. A connection between certain inhaled and ingested allergens has increasingly been observed clinically. Allergy to fruits and vegetables, in cases of pollinosis, follows the initial sensitization to pollen, watermelon sensitivity.

This article focuses on a study related to the bumetanide allergy in factory workers. Allergic reactions to drugs can usually be referred to the immediate, the delayed or the late type ,leaving a large group of exanthemata unexplained. Immunological examinations in industrial workers allergic to bumetanide point to involvement of both immediate and late reactions. Four workers developed allergic symptoms when working with powders of the pro-drugs to bumetanide. On provocation with powders, bronchial reactivity was found not to decrease as expected, but remained unchanged.

Occupational skin diseases among dental health personnel, particularly involving the hands, have been an issue in recent years. Dental personnel come into contact with meth-acrylate, which can cause skin irritation as well as contact allergy. In addition, they frequently wash their hands and use natural rubber latex gloves, increasing their susceptibility to hand dermatitis. 52 dental staff members were interviewed using a standard questionnaire covering the duration of occupation, nature of work, various contactants encountered, past or present skin symptoms, history of hand dermatitis, history of atopy and nasal complaints.

Examines the influence of bisphenol A (BPA) in the development of erythema-multiforme-like occupational contact dermatitis. Effects of the sensitizing activity of BPA on the respiratory system; Reason for the discontinuance of the use of BPA in Japan; Industrial uses of BPA.

Presents a case report on occupational allergic contact uticaria from amoxicillin. Symptoms of the skin disease; Discussion on the side effects of the antibiotics; Results of skin patch testing.