STUDIES ON THE CROSS-ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL OF AMINOSUBSTITUTED AND NITROSUBSTITUTED AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS

In 23 subjects sensitized to p-phenylenediamine (PPD) patch tests were carried out with monosubstituted 1,4-diaminobenzenes, substituted p-a minophenols, metasubstituted aminobenzenes, nitrosubstituted aminobenz enes, polycyclic aminoaromates, resorcinol, and methylresorcinol as we ll as substituted aminopyridines. All substances are important in the daily practice, especially in the field of hair coloring. Most frequen tly positive tests were found to chloro-PPD (11), followed by 4,4'-dia minodiphenylamine (9), p-toluylenediamine (8), 4-aminodiphenylamine (8 ) and 1-hydroxy-2.4-diaminobenzene (8). Nitro-PPD elicited positive te sts in four persons, p-aminophenol, 2-hydroxy-4-aminotoluene and 2,5-d iaminoanisol in three persons each. Bandrowski's base which is under d ebate regarding its relevance to PPD-contact allergy elicited test rea ctions in three subjects. A noteworthy results was the reaction to m-p henylenediamine in three persons. Resorcinol, various N-substituted co mpounds (secondary amines) and pyridine derivatives produced no positi ve results. The relationship between chemical structure and activity i s discussed.