Berufsbedingtes kontaktekzem bei einem schweinezüchter

Background: There have been several reports on olaquindox causing contact dermatitis in pig breeders. Olaquindox was banned as feed additive in Germany in the summer of 1999. Case report: We report on a 52-year-old pig breeder who presented with severe eczema in sun-exposed areas such as hands, forearms, head and neck. Manifestation of skin lesions correlated with increased UV-exposure in spring-time. Allergic reactions relevant to this condition were found to olaquindox in the patch test and the photopatch test, to isoeugenol and musk ambrette in the photopatch test. As the declaration of ingredients in commercially available pig feed was unreliable not only concerning olaquindox, which was added illegally, but also concerning fragrances, the patient had to produce animal feed himself based on single components in order to achieve complete elimination of contact allergens. Conclusion: Olaquindox must be considered as a cause of contact dermatitis in pig breeders, although it has been banned as a feed additive. Insufficient declaration of ingredients in pig feed can lead to substantial diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.