Berloque Dermatitis Workup

  • Author: Ali Alikhan, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 14, 2010
 

Laboratory Studies

Phototoxicity testing is not carried out diagnostically, but rather for predictive purposes. It routinely is included in the safety evaluation of raw materials by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials and several methods for identifying phototoxic compounds have been reported. Both in vitro and in vivo methods are used currently. Generally, for in vivo testing, measured amounts of fragrance material are tested, either in laboratory animals (eg, mouse, rabbit, guinea pig models),[6] or ultimately in humans, with an artificial light source. This identifies potential phototoxic substances before they are marketed.

In an attempt to decrease animal use in predictive dermatology, the European Union, in cooperation with the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and the Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICVAM), has supported the development of in vitro alternatives.[7, 8, 9, 10] Initial trials revealed reasonable sensitivity and specificity[11, 12, 13, 14] ; false-positive results and false-negative results have already been documented.[15, 16, 17] Thus far, several cosmetic products have been examined in vitro for phototoxicity.[18]

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Other Tests

Clinical identification of phototoxicity largely resides in morphology and a high index of clinical suspicion. Photopatch testing may be performed if photoallergy is strongly suspected. This consists of occlusive application of the test chemical(s) to the back, followed by irradiation with an UV light source. The results are evaluated at several time intervals, according to an established score based on the skin reaction pattern. Adequate controls are imperative to differentiate phototoxicity from photoallergy. In phototoxicity, all controls will have a positive response, whereas in photoallergy, controls should be negative.

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Histologic Findings

The histopathological findings in berloque dermatitis are identical to other phototoxic reactions, an irritant cutaneous response. The epidermal changes consist of keratinocyte necrosis, intercellular and intracellular edema, and intraepidermal blisters. In severe cases, these blisters may rupture, resulting in subepidermal bullae. Neutrophils enter the epidermis at an early stage. In contrast to the extensive epidermal damage, only a mild perivascular infiltrate is present. Changes associated with berloque pigmentation are an increased number and size of melanosomes, melanocyte hypertrophy with increased arborization of dendrites, increased transfer of melanosomes to keratinocytes, and increased tyrosinase activity within the proliferating melanocytes.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Ali Alikhan, MD  Resident Physician, University of Chicago, MacNeal Hospital

Ali Alikhan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Student Association/Foundation, Islamic Medical Association of North America, and Student National Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ai-Lean Chew, MBChB, MRCP  Honorary Consultant, St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, UK and Locum Consultant, South London Healthcare NHS Trust, UK

Ai-Lean Chew, MBChB, MRCP, is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Dermatologists, British Medical Association, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Howard I Maibach, MD  Professor and Vice Chairperson, Department of Dermatology, University of California School of Medicine at San Francisco; Consulting Staff, University of California Hospitals

Howard I Maibach, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of Physicians, American Contact Dermatitis Society, American Dermatological Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, Pacific Dermatologic Association, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Marjan Garmyn, MD, PhD  Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Chair and Adjunct Head, Department of Dermatology, University of Leuven, Belgium

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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