PATHOGENESIS AND CAUSATIVE AGENT OF TULIP FINGER

SUMMARY.— An investigation into the pathogenesis of the occupational skin disorder known as “tulip finger” showed it to be determined by an allergic mechanism. This is in line with the findings of some other investigators. Paper‐chromatography of active extracts from tulip bulbs, and subsequent patch‐tests with these paper‐chromatograms in sensitized individuals, made it possible to localize the allergic principle in the paper‐chromatograms and to find a reagent (Tollens) for chemical spot tests with the active agent. In later experiments we used the Tollens reaction to locate the active substance in paper‐chromatograms, without doing patch tests. A quantity of “crude allergen” was obtained by preparative paper‐chromatography. Qualitative analysis indicated a compound related to sugars, which is probably a glucoside. Hydrolysis of this compound yielded glucose, and a substance identified by chemical, spectroscopic and gas‐chromatographic methods as: α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved