Photoallergies to fenticlor and Multifungin

A 20-year analysis of previous and emerging allergens that elicit photoallergic contact dermatitis

“…Additional cases were reported in an individual in France, who was exposed to soap, 18 and in a service engineer in the United Kingdom, who was exposed to a cooling system liquid. 19 Although cross-reactivity between bithionol and Fentichlor has been documented, 20,21 bithionol accounted for 3 of 16 (19%) of the positive photopatch test reactions to antimicrobial agents in our study. Only one of our patients had positive reactions to both Fentichlor and bithionol.…”

Bithionol [MAK Value Documentation, 1998]

“…Some authors doubt whether this is a genuine contact sensitization reaction; it could involve masked contact photosensitization reactions because of inadequate exclusion of light. It is also conceivable that these previously sensitized patients are not reacting to bithionol itself but to one of its breakdown products such as, e.g., fenticlor, formed in a light-dependent reaction before the test and present as an impurity in the bithionol used (Burry 1967, Morikawa et al 1974b, O'Quinn et al 1967. n.s.…”

“…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.…”

Contact Photodermatitis Due to Tribromsalicylanilide (Cross-reaction Pattern)

“…This corresponds to the cross-reaction to TBS in one patient primarily sensitized to Fenticlor® [6]. Likewise, the reactions to Multifungin® corresponds to the cross-sensitivity to TBS in patients primarily photosensitized to Multifungin® [5].…”