zithromax and Dermatitis--Occupational

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Facial Dermatoses; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male

Reports on hypersensitivity reactions to azithromycin associated with therapy or occupational exposure have been rare.. A case series describing clinical characteristics, diagnostic pathways and risk factors in occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by azithromycin in pharmaceutical workers is presented.. 7 out of 21 pharmaceutical workers exposed to powdered intermediate and final substances in azithromycin synthesis were referred with workplace-related skin and respiratory symptoms. They all underwent diagnostic procedure involving medical history and examination, patch testing with standard allergens and azithromycin, prick testing with inhalatory allergens and total immunoglobulin E measurement.. Airborne ACD caused by azithromycin was established in 4 examined workers with positive patch test to azithromycin. 2 workers additionally had positive patch test to intermediate substances. Occupation-related symptoms of urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis, laryngitis and/or dyspnoea were described in additional 2 workers without clearly positive patch test to azithromycin. 2 atopic workers had a shorter asymptomatic period between the beginning of the exposure to azithromycin and occurrence of skin symptoms than non-atopics (2-3 months versus 1-3 years, respectively).. Our results suggest that daily manipulation with powdered azithromycin and intermediates is a main route of sensitization. Besides contact sensitization, other possible workplace-related azithromycin hypersensitivity reactions are indicated.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Croatia; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Drug Industry; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Male; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Male; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests