La Serra L, Salathiel AM, Lanaro R, Martinis BD, Roselino AM. Measurement of pesticides in hair samples from pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris patients in Southeastern Brazil.
An Bras Dermatol 2023;
98:644-650. [PMID:
37208226 PMCID:
PMC10404494 DOI:
10.1016/j.abd.2022.10.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pesticides, mainly organophosphates (OP), have been related to increased risk of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), nevertheless, their measurement has not been determined in pemphigus patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate pesticide exposure and pesticide measurement, comparing PV, PF and control groups in Southeastern Brazil.
METHODS
Information about urban or rural residency and exposure to pesticides at the onset of pemphigus was assessed by questionnaire interview; hair samples from the scalp of PV, PF, and controls were tested for OP and organochlorines (OC) by gas-phase chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.
RESULTS
The minority of PV (2 [7.1%] of 28) and PF (7 [18%] of 39), but none of the 48 controls, informed living in rural areas at the onset of pemphigus (p = 0.2853). PV (33.3%), PF (38.5%), and controls (20%) informed exposure to pesticides (p = 0.186). Twenty-one (14.8%) of 142 individuals tested positive for OP and/or OC: PV (2 [6.3%] of 32) and PF (11 [25.6%] of 43) had similar pesticides contamination as controls (8 [11.9%] of 67) (p = 0.4928; p = 0.0753, respectively), but PF presented higher contamination than PV (p = 0.034). PV did not present any positivity for OP. Three (7%) PF tested positive for both OP and OC. Some PF tested positive for three or four OP, mainly diazinon and dichlorvos.
STUDY LIMITATION
Lack of data for some controls.
CONCLUSION
Although the frequency of PV and PF patients exposed to pesticides was similar, pesticides were more frequently detected in hair samples from PF compared to PV. The cause-effect relationship still needs to be determined.
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