parthenin and Dermatitis--Allergic-Contact

Parthenium dermatitis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory, distressing skin disease and is mediated by activated T-lymphocyte which is primarily manifested on the exposed sites of the face, neck, hand and flexures. Parthenium hysterophorus is ubiquitous, hence it is diffi-cult to avoid the aero-allergenic antigen parthenin, responsible for the contact dermatitis. The pathogenesis of parthenium dermatitis is characterized by infiltration of T-lymphocytes into challenged skin sites and the development of a cutaneous inflammation due to altered regulatory network of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Regulation of inflammatory events perpetuated by cytokines continues to complicate efforts to analyze both the function of individual cytokine and the influence of candidate gene polymorphism on expression and disease severity. The genetic polymorphisms in these cytokines are significantly affecting immunological parameters and, subsequently, modulation and polarization of immune responses. This review has focused mainly on understanding of the mechanisms of genetic susceptibility of cytokine genes in this disease and, further, this process is likely to achieve significant advances in the diagnosis and management of parthenium dermatitis.

Topics: Allergens; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Polymorphism, Genetic; Sesquiterpenes; T-Lymphocytes; Tanacetum parthenium

Allergic reactions to the pollen and plant dust of parthenium weed are causing major health problems in central Queensland, which can be expected to increase, especially as the pasture weed is rapidly spreading south. This paper reviews published information on health aspects of this weed and calls attention to its spread into areas with much greater population.

Topics: Animals; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Humans; Plant Poisoning; Queensland; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Sesquiterpenes; Time Factors

Parthenium hysterophorus is the commonest cause of airborne contact dermatitis in northern India. Treatment is mostly palliative and consists of repeated courses of antihistamines and topical and/or systemic corticosteroids. We have evaluated the effect of oral hyposensitization as an alternative therapeutic modality. In 70% of those patients who completed the study, there was a gradual improvement in their clinical status, as evident from a fall in their clinical severity score for eczema. 30% of patients had an exacerbation during the course of the study and hence hyposensitization in them was stopped. Patients tolerated therapy well and no significant side-effects were seen, except for abdominal pain, 'heartburn' and cheilitis.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Allergens; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Female; Humans; Immunization; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Plant Extracts; Sesquiterpenes; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome