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ABSTRACT: Pyrethrins are the insecticidally active components of pyrethrum extract, derived from flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium and used in commercial and consumer insecticide products. Most dermal testing performed with pyrethrum extracts was done before current refined pyrethrum concentrate became available (before 1967).
We analyzed presently commercially available pyrethrum allergen extracts to determine the concentration of pyrethrins and the putative sensitizer pyrethrosin.
Six commercial pyrethrum allergen extracts were purchased from four major allergen suppliers and analyzed for pyrethrin I and pyrethrosin by using a capillary gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector.
The commercial pyrethrum allergen extracts contained no detectable pyrethrins or pyrethrosin. In comparison, the pyrethrum standard provided by the McLaughlin Gormely King Company, a major refiner of pyrethrum, contained 20% pyrethrins and 0.49% pyrethrosin. No compounds observed in the chromatogram of the refined pyrethrum concentrate were present in the allergen extracts.
Caution should be used when interpreting the results of tests performed with current pyrethrum allergen extracts because pyrethrins and pyrethrosin may not be present. Moreover, unknown components such as high-molecular-weight proteins or other impurities that may cause dermal reactions could be present in significant amounts.
Dermatitis 12/2009; 20(6):338-40. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Reports suggest that pyrethrum, the insecticidally active extract from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium, can induce Type I hypersensitivity reactions in humans. Using knowledge of pyrethrum chemistry and an evidence-based analysis of literature, whether current refined pyrethrum induces and/or elicits skin manifestations of contact urticaria was assessed. Current extraction and refinement techniques suggest that refined pyrethrum lacks the presence of significant, if any, proteins speculated to induce Type I hypersensitivity. Our interpretation suggests that no reports of Type I reactions presented in the literature fulfill the criteria for immunologic contact urticaria. Future patient testing with current commercial material should clarify its Type I immunologic potential, if any.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 02/2007; 26(1):57-72. · 0.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Pyrethrum has been reported to produce allergic contact dermatitis in humans. Moreover, it has been speculated that cross reactions occur in ragweed-sensitized people. This review presents the botany, contemporary chemistry, and case reports of alleged allergic contact dermatitis. Our interpretation suggests that the evidence presented in literature does not show that allergic contact dermatitis results from exposure to pyrethrum. Similarly, the data do not suggest cross reactions in ragweed-sensitized people. Changes in the chemical composition of the refined pyrethrins suggest the putative sensitizer is present at a lower level in today's refined extracts than in ground pyrethrum flowers or the extracts used earlier.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 02/2006; 25(4):287-308. · 0.91 Impact Factor
