Group allergies and multiple reactions in patients with allergy to hydroxyquinoline derivatives

: We carried out patch testing with a chinoline block comprising 25 substances in 316 patients with a suspected allergy to chinoline derivatives in the period from February 1969 to December 1983. 110 patients reacted to 2 or more substances. The reactions were totaled and tabulated in a list indicating frequency of sensitisation as decreasing in the order of Cl-F-Br-I halogens. The most frequent reactions observed were with Chlorisept, Sterosan, Vio-form, Chinosol, Ondron, and Broxychinolin, for all of which primary sensitisations are also possible. Concomitant reactions to chinaldol, chinaldine, aminochinaldine and chinoline are considered to be group allergies since contact is hardly possible with these substances in everyday life. Due to the lack of appropriate history, reactions to Resochin and the isoquinoline compounds Papaverine and Eupaverine may also be regarded as group allergies. Accordingly, non-hydroxylized chinoline derivatives are also viewed as group allergies in cases of sensitisation to hydroxy-chinoline derivatives. The group spectrum of hydroxy-chinoline allergy seems to be more far-reaching than was assumed. Five cases of a quinine allergy identified by appropriate history and confirmed epicutaneously are presented with a group allergy to various chinoline derivatives, including two cases with quinidine.