This is a report of two patients suspected of having allergic dermato-conjunctivitis due to corticosteroids. Both were tested with the constituents of the ointments they were using, that is, corticosteroids, antibacterial agents, preservatives, and other active ingredients of the ointment bases. Both patients showed positive allergic patch test reactions to the respective corticosteroid betamethasone valerate, and one to hydrocortisone, neomycin, and a rubber additive. The importance of routine patch testing in ophthalmic practice to detect sensitizers in cases of allergy is mentioned. Hydrocortisone (25%) in petrolatum is recommended for patch testing.
The effects of long ultraviolet radiation (UVA) on the fluorescence of twenty-four photosensitizing and related compounds were studied. Each compound was applied in two areas on the skin of hairless mice. One area was irradiated. The fluorescence in both areas was then inspected every day until it disappeared.Persistence and change of colour of the fluorescence as a direct immediate effect of UVA radiation on compounds having photoallergic potential, i.e. salicylanilide, halogenated salicylanilide and phenothiazine derivatives, was observed. Compounds known for their phototoxic effects, i.e. acridine dyes, did not show such changes after irradiation, while 8-methoxypsoralen showed persistence of fluorescence without change of colour.The fluorescence of most photosensitizing compounds has been known for many years, but very little is known concerning the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the fluorescence of these compounds, especially when applied on the skin. Therefore, it was considered of interest to compare the fluorescence of such compounds. applied on the skin of hairless mice, before and after long wave ultraviolet (UVA) irradiation. Twenty-four fluorescent compounds were included in this study, nineteen of which were either potential photoallergens or structurally related thereto, the remaining flve being phototoxic compounds (Hjorth & Fregert, 1968; Pathak, 1969).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Test compoundsA 1% solution (10 mg/ml) of each compound in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) was made. The compounds included salicylanilide, twelve halogenated salicylanilides (HS), six phenothiazine derivatives, four acridine dyes and 8-methoxypsoralen. These were obtained in reagent form from various suppliers (Table i).
A patient with chronic open-angle glaucoma was suspected of having allergic dermatitis and conjunctivitis to epinephrine. He was tested with epinephrine and other active substances, the preservatives and antioxidants usually used in the preparation of eye drops. He was also tested with other possible contactants with which he had had contact. The patient showed positive allergic patch test reactions to the chloride solution of epinephrine. The patient showed an unexpected positive reaction when tested with di-isopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP). The importance of routine patch testing in ophthalmic practice to detect sensitizers in cases of contact allergy is stressed.
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