IMMUNOLOGICAL CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN RESPIRATORY CHEMICAL SENSITIZERS - REACTIVE DYES AND CYANURIC CHLORIDE

Background: CyCl is a low molecular weight reactive chemical used as a n intermediate in the production of plastics, herbicides, pharmaceutic als, and fiber-reactive dyes. It is a potent inducer of specific IgE a ntibody: The CyCl functionality; is a structural component of monochlo rotriazine and dichlorotriazine dyes. Objective: We have investigated the immunologic cross-reactivity between cyanuric chloride (CyCl) and reactive dyes and it was hypothesized that this moiety might be a dye epitope and that it might stimulate an allergic antibody response in d ye-exposed workers. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we have used ser a with IgE antibodies to CyCl and also sera from dye-exposed workers w ho have ICE antibodies to Procion Orange MX2R, an azo dye containing t he dichlorotriazine group. As a control group we have used dye-exposed workers with IgE antibody to Remazol Black B, a diazo dye containing the vinyl sulfone-reactive group. Results: Using RAST and RAST inhibit ions, we identified negligible cross-reactivity between CyCl and dichl orotriazine dye. Conclusion: The results of this study imply that the allergenic moiety on the dye residue resides in the chromophore rather than in the common structural component of CyCl and dichlolotriazine dyes.