Allergy to tetramethylthiuram disulphide, a component of pesticides and rubber.

Since 1970 patch tests have been carried out on 39,420 consecutive patients with contact dermatitis using two rubber accelerators: dimercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) and tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD). The second substance is also a component of pesticides. Over the years, the incidence of sensitivity to these substances was similar. But in the recent years the incidence of TMTD sensitivity began rising. This fact is explained by more frequent use of rubber gloves connected with AIDS prophylaxis. Independently of this, it was found that a part of alcoholic patients treated with disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulphide) showed a cross-reaction to TMTD.

[Delayed diagnosis of occupational dermatitis]. / Opóznienia w rozpoznawaniu wyprysku zawodowego.

Of 182 subjects affected by occupational eczema only in 15% the eczema was found to be developed in the first three months. In 21.8% the diagnosis of occupational eczema was delayed by over 5 years. The methodological and social outcome of the delayed diagnosis was analysed.

[Occupational allergy to antibiotics]. / Alergia zawodowa na antybiotyki.

Of 57 nurses suffering from dermatitis and having occupational contact with antibiotics 37 per cent exhibited positive tests with these drugs. Analogous figures for pharmaceutical industry workers were 34 subjects and 41 per cent and for veterinary surgeons 31 subjects and 29 per cent. A case of an ophthalmist sensitive to dethreomycin under occupational conditions was also recorded. Furthermore, six nurses exhibited inhalant allergy to penicillin manifested clinically by an anaphylactic shock or urticaria or, in two cases, by contact urticaria: one also due to penicillin and the other due to streptomycin.

[Dermatoses characteristic in particular occupations. I. Various branches of industry]. / Dermatozy charakterystyczne dla poszczególnych zawodów. I Niektóre galezie przemyslu.

Dermatoses characteristic for several branches of industry: metal, electrotechnical, photochemical and pharmaceutical and for laminators and galvanizers are discussed. The periods are given after which skin changes appear, their primary localisation and the allergens specific for the particular occupations. In photo-chemical industry workers, beside dermatitis. lichen planus was also noted.

[Coexistence of asthma and certain symptoms of atopic dermatitis]. / Wspólistnienie astmy i niektórych objawów atopii skórnej.

The frequency of basic and minor features of atopic dermatitis were compared between 86 patients with coexistent asthma, and 269 without asthma. The coexistence of asthma caused a statistically significantly more frequent presence of one of the basic features: personal or family history of atopy and five minor features. The latter included: early age of onset, recurrent conjunctivitis, tendency toward cutaneous infections, elevated serum IgE and keratosis pilaris.

[Simultaneous allergy to nickel and palladium]. / Jednoczesne uczulenie na nikiel i pallad.

In a group of 100 consecutive patients with eczema all those hypersensitive to nickel had also hypersensitivity to palladium. Allergy to the latter element was never found in patients with negative tests for nickel. The clinical importance of this combined allergy is discussed.

[Additional set of contact allergens]. / Dodatkowy zestaw alergenów kontaktowych.

An additional set for testing of patients with eczema was prepared. This set comprised 38 compounds, including 12 components of perfumes and food flavours, 12 components of rubber or plastic materials, 9 drugs for external use and 5 other agents. The set was used for testing of 306 patients and in nearly a half of the cases positive results were obtained.

[Atopic dermatitis: the role of mechanical trauma]. / Atopowe zapalenie skóry: rola urazów mechanicznych.

A case of atopic dermatitis was observed in a patient in whom clinical observation and radioimmunoassays failed to demonstrate any possible role of allergic mechanisms. The lesions were caused exclusively by contact with the irritating substances and mechanical pressure, even, at times, by pressure of clothes.

[Atopic dermatitis in patients with normal and raised IgE levels]. / Atopowe zapalenie skóry u chorych z prawidlowym i podwyzszonym poziomem IgE.

In a group of 535 children and 103 adult patients with atopic dermatitis no differences were observed between persons with normal and raised IgE level with respect to incidence of lesions in the first or the first three months of life, the total number of the positive RAST results and the most intense reactions, that is 4 degrees, the percent of helper and suppressor T-cells, duration of remission, darkening of lower eyelids, cheilitis, involvement of the hands, the feet, the elbow flexures or knee flexures. On the other hand, in individuals with raised IgE level, especially in patients with IgE level tenfold higher or more than normal, the co-existence of alergic diseases of the respiratory system, the appearance of itching after sweating, itching after emotion, pityriasis alba, and eczema of breasts were

[Urticaria in atopic dermatitis]. / Pokrzywka w przebiegu atopowego zapalenia skóry.

During examinations of 479 patients referred for atopic dermatitis and 520 with urticaria it was found that in the first group coexistence of these diseases was frequently occurring, and in the second group it was rare. Food allergens caused slightly more frequently episodes of urticaria than exacerbations of atopic dermatitis. Coexistence of urticaria with atopic dermatitis was particularly frequent in patients: a) with a high IgE titre, b) with a history of allergy in the families of both parents, c) in patients with respiratory allergy associated with skin lesions.

[Incidence of hypersensitivity to antibiotics and preservatives in eye drops]. / Czestosc wystepowania uczulen na antybiotyki i srodki konserwujace w kroplach ocznych.

PURPOSE: To elaborate a set of contact allergens present in eye drops which could precipitate allergic conjunctivitis. Such set has not been yet described in literature. METHODS: Basing on the most frequently used preparations, a set of 15 different substances: drugs and preservatives, was prepared to test the patients. RESULTS: Among the 97 persons who underwent the testing, positive results were observed in 35.5%. The hypersensitivity was found for 11 of the allergens, the most often for neomycin, gentamycin, merthiolate, benzalkonium chloride, and then consecutively for kanamycin, sulfathiazole, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, penicillin, boric acid and parabens.