ASSAY OF CONTACT PHOTOSENSITIVITY TO MUSK AMBRETTE IN GUINEA-PIGS

This study reports the induction of contact photodermatitis to musk ambrette, 2-methoxy-3,5-dinitro-4-methyl-t-butylbenzene, in guinea pigs. Photoallergic contact dermatitis was assayed using 2 alternative induction methods. Successful photosensitization was achieved only when the nuchal skin was stripped with scotch tape before application of musk ambrette and ultraviolet radiation. Induction methods utilizing nonstripped nuchal skin which induce photosensitivity to potent photoallergens were ineffective for musk ambrette. Phototoxicity tests to musk ambrette at concentrations between 1 and 50% and a dose of 10.2 joules/cm2 from 'Black Light' fluorescent tubes were all negative. Under identical irradiation conditions, anthracence at 0.9% and 8-methoxypsoralen at 1% were consistently positive. The mechanism of photosensitivity to musk ambrette appears to be photoallergic rather than phototoxic. The requirement for skin abrasion to induce photosensitization parallels the clinical reports of photosensitivity to musk ambrette in man.