Translate this page into:
Patch test with ether extracts in salicaceae allergy
Correspondence Address:
M PS Sawhney
Department of Dermatology and STD, Command Hospital (SC), Pune - 411 040
India
How to cite this article: Sawhney M P. Patch test with ether extracts in salicaceae allergy. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2002;68:77 |
Abstract
A total of 23 cases suggestive of airborne contact dermatitis were patch tested with ether extracts of flowers and leaves of populus sp. and salix sp. in a study conducted in Ladakh at an altitude of 3445 meters above sea level. Overall positivity was found in 12 (52.17%), with populus sp. alone in 7 (30. 43%), salix sp. alone in 4 17.39%) and to both in one (8.33%).Introduction
Airborne salicaceae allergy to populus sp. and salix sp. has been described earlier.[1],[2] Patch testing was done with pastes of flowers of poplar and willow plants. However, this technique may give rise to false - positive irritant reactions with the risk of sensitization.[3] Hence it was considered appropriate to conduct patch test with ether extracts of flowers and leaves of poplar (poplus sp.) and willow (salix sp.). The study was undertaken in a Military Hospital in Ladakh situated at a height of 3445 meters above the sea level.
Materials and Methods
A total of 23 patients who presented with eczema of the exposed parts of the body clinically suggestive of airborne contact eczema during Jul 98 to Apr 99 were included in this study.[4] Ether extract of leaves and flowers of willow and poplar trees was prepared as described earlier for compositae plants.[5],[6] Patch tests were performed in all the 23 patients with ether dried and dissolved in water 1: 50 (2%) by the method as described earlier by Pasricha.[7] Readings were taken after 48 to 72 hours.
Results
The average age of the patients was 29.60 years (range 14 - 58 years). 16 (69. 56%) were males and 7 (30.43%) were females. Duration of illness in them varied from 1 month to 10 years. 12 (52.17%) of them showed positive patch test to one or more of the patch tests applied, 7 (30.43%) to papulus sp. alone, 4 (17.39%) to salix sp. alone and one (8.33%) to both. 5(21.73%) showed positive patch test to extract of poplar leaves, 6 (26.08%) to poplar flowers, 5 (21.73%) to willow leaves and 2 (8.68%) to willow flowers.
Discussion
Overall patch test positivity to plants of salicaceae family (populus sp. and salix sp.) in case of airborne contact dermatitis with freshly prepared paste of fresh or dried flowers as described earlier from Ladakh was found to be 75.38%.[2] While in this study we have found overall positivity to be only 52.17%. This difference is likely to be due to false positive irritant reactions to paste of flower in water.[3] Hence it is recommended that ether extract of flowers or leaves be used instead of paste in water for patch testing in salicaceae allergy.
1. |
Sawhney MPS. Study of eczema of the exposed parts of the body in Ladakh at 12000 feet above sea level. 25th National Conference of IADVL, Book of Abstracts, 1998;5.
[Google Scholar]
|
2. |
Sawhney MPS. Airborne salicaceae allergy in Ladakh. Indian J Dermatol Venereal Leprol 1999;65:264-266.
[Google Scholar]
|
3. |
Wrangojo K, Ros AM. Compositae allergy, In: Seminars Dermatology: Plant Allergens and Irritants, Edited by Lovell CR, WB Sounders Company, Philadelphia 1996;15:87-94.
[Google Scholar]
|
4. |
Hjorth N, Fregert S. Contact dermatitis, In; Textbook of Dermatology, Edited by Rook A, Wilknison DS and Ebling FJG, 3rd Ed, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford 1979;363-441.
[Google Scholar]
|
5. |
Lovell CR, Rowan M. Dandelion dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1991;25:185-188.
[Google Scholar]
|
6. |
Hausen BM. A simple method for extracting curde sesquiterpene lactones from compsitate plants for skin tests, chemical investigations and sensitizing experiments in guinea pigs. Contact Dermatitis 1997;3:58-60.
[Google Scholar]
|
7. |
Pesricha JS. Allergic Diseases in the Skin. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. New Delhi 1981;80.
[Google Scholar]
|