Agricultural patch test

Housewives were found to be more likely to experience contact dermatitis of the hand than those exposed to garlic in other job settings such as chef, agricultural, and industrial positions. A group of 93 patients were patch tested with diallyl disulfide. Of these, 22.6% tested positive for allergy, 79.5% of whom were women. Dermatological eruptions were primarily located on the hand however, lesions were also seen on the feet, head, legs, and in widespread distribution (93). 

Frullania sensitivity was reported in fruit pickers in Portugal [183], and lichens caused contact dermatitis in rural agricultural workers [184], including one who cut trees to make posts for a vineyard. Patch testing showed him to be allergic to Frullania as well as lichens [185]. Several different species were identified as causative in a man who broke out after cutting wood in his orchard... 

Copper sulfate is a fungicide and algicide. List et al. reported positive patch-test reactions to 1% copper sulfate in agricultural workers [20]. Additional normal controls and use of provocative tests should help clarify whether these responses are irritant or allergic. 

Folpet is a protective fungicide used as a 50% wettable powder and in various dusts on fruits, berries, vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals. Six agricultural workers had positive patch-test reactions to 0.1% folpet but irritant reactions were seen in some controls [20]. 

Peluso et al. reported a case of 2-month history of finger and hand eczema in a female agricultural worker, which improved when she stopped work. Patch testings gave positive results to carbamate-mix 1% petrolatum, z5-dithiocarbamate (maneb) and thiophthalimide (captan 0.1% petrolatum, captafol 0.1% petrolatum and folpet 0.1% petrolatum) at 2 days and 3 days (+/++) [119]. 

Piraccini et al. reported a case of allergic contact dermatitis from pesticide maneb in an agricultural worker with a 7-year history of recurrent dermatitis of the face and arms each summer. Patch testing was positive to maneb 1% petrolatum (D2+/D3++). The patient had no recurrence of dermatitis the following summer, after discontinuing maneb exposure [120]. 

Garcia-Perez A, Garcia-Bravo B, Beneit JV (1984) Standard patch tests in agricultural workers. Contact Dermatitis 10 151-153 Gauchia R, Rodriguez-Serna M, Silvestre JF, Linana JJ, Aliaga A... 

Nishioka K, Kozuka T, Tashiro M (1970) Agricultural miticide (BPPS) dermatitis. Skin Res 12 15 O Malley M, Rodriguez P, Maibach HI (1995) Pesticide patch testing California nursery workers and controls. Contact Dermatitis 32 61-62... 

Pyrethroids are neurotoxic synthetic compounds used as insecticides. Cypermethrin and fenvalerate have been reported as causing positive allergic patch tests, but only fenvalerate was relevant in an agricultural worker. 

---