Triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) - a new contact allergen identified in a spectacle frame.

Allergic reactions to spectacle frames are not unusual. A patient had a reproducible strong allergic patch test reaction to scrapings from the plastic material, and negative patch test results with available spectacle frame chemicals. To identify the culprit allergen in this patient's spectacle frame. An extract from the temple arms was analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and a major low molecular weight compound was detected. This compound was isolated by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by GC-MS and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The purified compound was diluted in ethanol, and a dilution series was prepared for patch testing. Triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) was identified as the major compound in the extract. Patch testing of the patient proved that triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) was the causative allergen in the spectacle frame. Ten consecutive eczema patients tested as controls were negative. Triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) is a new, hitherto unreported contact allergen.