title: [Allergic eczema to wax cloth. Attempts at identification of an allergen].
abstract: The coming out of 20 cases of eczema to American cloth, in 1978, motivated a clinical, allergologic and chemical investigation. From a clinical point of view, the lesions were located in areas in contact with American cloth. Cutaneous biopsies, which were carried out in 3 cases, established the allergic eczematous nature of these lesions. Epicutaneous tests were carried out by these patients. With American cloth, results were positive in 20 cases out of 20; six constituents provided by the manufacturer and a standard battery of allergens gave no indication. The chemical analysis of American cloths revealed among others an unknown product which was found in every formulation. This product had a molecular weight of 223; the infra-red spectra and the mass spectra showed a strong analogy with the spectra of alpha-phenyl indole. Tests carried out with alpha-phenyl-indole were positive in 11 cases out of 18; among controls every test was negative.
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010328:Patch Tests; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D011145:Polyvinyls; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; C026570:alpha-phenylindole
vernacular_title: L'eczéma allergique aux toiles cirées. Essais d'identification d'un allergène.