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Sunflower seeds as eliciting agents of Compositae dermatitis
Evy Paulsen1, Rime B El-Houri, Klaus E Andersen
1Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
Background:
Sunflowers may cause dermatitis because of allergenic sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). Contact sensitization to sunflower seeds has also been reported, but the allergens are unknown.
Objectives:
To analyse sunflower seeds for the presence of SLs and to assess the prevalence of sunflower sensitization in Compositae-allergic individuals.
Patients/Materials/Methods:
Sunflower-sensitive patients were identified by aimed patch testing. A dichloromethane extract of whole sunflower seeds was analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results:
The prevalence of sensitivity to sunflower in Compositae-allergic individuals was 56%. A solvent wash of whole sunflower seeds yielded an extract containing SLs, the principal component tentatively being identified as argophyllin A or B, other SLs being present in minute amounts.
Conclusions:
The concentration of SLs on the sunflower seeds is considered high enough to elicit dermatitis in sensitive persons, and it seems appropriate to warn Compositae-allergic subjects against handling sunflower seeds.
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