Retention of allergic potential of parthenium following composting
Parthenium hysterophorus is known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (1). Changing clinical patterns of the dermatitis are reported (2, 3). Recently, the role of type I (immediate) and type III (Arthus phenomenon) has been postulated (4, 5). This weed, a native of tropical America, is wide spread in grasslands, fruit tree orchards, and arable land in neutral and acid soils. This weed interferes with the growth of other plants (allelopathic potential) resulting from the release of phytotoxic substances such as ferulic, caffeic, vanillic, chlorogenic, p-hydroxybenzoic acids, parthenin, ambrosin, and coronopilin, which inhibit the germination and growth of several crop plants (6). Because it has no economic value, efforts have been made to use parthenium as a green leaf manure, as a biopesticide, as a compost for agricultural purposes, and as an additive with cattle manure in biogas production (7). Compost obtained from parthenium can be used for agricultural purposes and as manure. This is likely to get widely dispersed, get airborne, and aggravate parthenium dermatitis if the allergenicity is retained. Parthenium compost was obtained from the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Compost made by 2 methods, anaerobic and aerobic, was collected. The composting procedure was carried out for 90 days for each of themethods. Samples were obtained on D45 and D90. The 2 methods of composting are described below.
Parthenium the terminator: An update
Parthenium dermatitis is a distressing dermatitis caused by the air borne allergen of the Compositae weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Uncommon presentations, newer insights in pathogenesis and management of this “scourge” are discussed in this article.
Contact allergic sensitivity to plants and the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome
Contact allergic sensitivity to oleoresin extract from Compositae plants was found to be usually present in individuals suffering from the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome. It was demonstrated in forty‐seven out of fifty‐five examples of this syndrome. These results provide support for the view that contact allergic sensitivity is an important aspect of the state of chronic photosensitivity in the middle‐aged and elderly male.