Contact Photodermatitis From Bithionol

Bithionol [MAK Value Documentation, 1998]

“…The contact photosensitization caused by bithionol in patients with photodermatitis (Table 4) has been described in several studies and case reports (Baughman 1964, Cripps and Enta 1970, Harber et al 1966, Jillson and Baughman 1963, Kaidbey and Kligman 1980, Morikawa et al 1974b, O'Quinn et al 1967. In some cases the contact photosensitization induced by bithionol was not transient but persisted for months or years without renewed contact with the substance (persistent light reactor, PLR).…”

“…The studies are summarized in Table 3. On the other hand, reactions to bithionol have been reported in several studies (Baughman 1964, Burry 1968, Cripps and Enta 1970, Jillson and Baughman 1963, O'Quinn et al 1967) in occlusive patch tests on patients with photodermatitis (Table 4). Some authors doubt whether this is a genuine contact sensitization reaction; it could involve masked contact photosensitization reactions because of inadequate exclusion of light.…”

“…In some cases the contact photosensitization induced by bithionol was not transient but persisted for months or years without renewed contact with the substance (persistent light reactor, PLR). In PLR the MED is abnormally low so that reactions can be induced even by low energy light such as sunlight filtered through window glass (Burry 1967(Burry , 1968Jillson andBaughman 1963, Willis andKligman 1968). Contact photosensitization cross reactions between bithionol and halogenated salicylanilides, hexachlorophene and fenticlor have been reported in man and animals (Baughman 1964, Burry 1968, Harber et al 1967, Jillson and Baughman 1963, Morikawa et al 1974b.…”

Persistent Light Reaction Associated with Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis to Musk Ambrette and Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Fragrance Mix

“…It was first described by Wilkinson [1] and later by Jillson and Baugh man [2] following the outbreak of photosensitivity pro voked by tctrachlorosalicylanilide and bithionol respec tively.…”

Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis to Chloro-2-phenylphenol

“…In 1961, Wilkinson described photosensitization to tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCSA) incorporated into a toilet soap in Great Britain.' Since then several other germicidal agents have been found to be photosensitizers.2"4 Because of the frequent occurrence of dermatitis from these compounds, we regularly use photopatch-tests on patients who are con¬ sidered to have photocontact allergy with the following four substances: (1) bithionol, 1% petrolatum; (2) carbanilide "mix," 1% petrolatum, containing 4,4'-dichloro-3-(trifluoromethyl) carbanilide and 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide; (3) hexachlorophene, 2% petrolatum; and (4) salicylanilide "mix," 1% petrolatum, containing tribromsalan and metabromsalan.' Although the exact chemical configuration required to induce photosensitization is not known, study of the structural for¬ mulae of these substances suggests other closely related chemicals which also could be photosensitizers.…”