Parthenium species is a weed that is present around the world. It is associated with an allergic dermatitis that affects both humans and animals.
Species:
(1) Parthenium hysterophorus (congress weed, Scourge of India)
(2) Parthenium confertum
(3) Parthenium bipinnatifidum
Allergens: numerous types of sesquiterpene lactones (SQL) including costunolide, alantolactone, and dehydrocostus lactone
Types of allergic reactions:
(1) allergic contact dermatitis from direct contact
(2) airborne allergic contact dermatitis
(3) allergic rhinitis
(4) asthma
(5) gastrointestinal
Allergen testing can confirm allergy but the spectrum of SQLs produced means that false negative reactions can occur if only a limited number of compounds are used.
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