Routine patch testing with frullanolide mix: an European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group multicentre study.
Contact sensitivity to plants containing 1 or more sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) is difficult to diagnose. The mixture of SLs (SL mix) has been shown to detect only about 60% of sensitized individuals. In order to improve the diagnosis of sensitization to plants containing SLs, we have tested a mixture of frullanolides contained in Frullania dilatata and Frullania tamarisci at 3 different concentrations (0.01%, 0.033% and 0.1% in petrolatum). 8605 consecutive eczema patients in 1 North American and 15 European dermatology departments were tested with this mix, and 0.35% of positive cases to the different concentrations were found. Routine use of this mix permitted detection of only a small percentage of extra cases and did not improve the SL mix score. The frullanolide mix should therefore be restricted to investigations in particular geographical zones and/or in particular occupations.
Ducombs
G
G
Department of Dermatology, CHU de Bordeaux, Hôpital Saint André, Bordeaux, France.
Lepoittevin
J P
JP
Berl
V
V
Andersen
K E
KE
Brandão
F M
FM
Bruynzeel
D P
DP
Bruze
M
M
Camarasa
J G
JG
Frosch
P J
PJ
Goossens
A
A
Lachapelle
J M
JM
Lahti
A
A
Le Coz
C J
CJ
Maibach
H I
HI
Menné
T
T
Seidenari
S
S
Shaw
S
S
Tosti
A
A
Wilkinson
J D
JD
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D037961:Frullania; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C007787:frullanolide