Background. Chemical-induced vitiligo (CIV) is found both at manufacturing site and domestically, and is characterized by persistent skin lesion.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the features of CIV and to determine the conditions and probability of its occurrence based on clinical and experimental studies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A number of patients with occupational CIV equal 152 were kept under observation for 30 years. Para-tert-butylphenol was an inducing agent. All patients were subject to an annual examination with dermatologist, therapist and neurologist. In addition, experimental CIV modeling under inhalational, peroral, epicutaneous exposure of para-tert-butylphenol was performed on 40 black guinea pigs. The impact of 4-methyl-pyrocatechol was performed for comparison.

RESULTS

CIV have occurred only with the epicutaneous exposure of depigmentation-inducing agent, thus its incidence rate has reached 80—100% in different groups of affected subjects. We have not revealed any resistance or predisposition to CIV development, as well as any possibility of its inheritance. The depigmentation in CIV develops without dermatitis phenomena and patients’ general condition disorders. The damage is selective, organ-specific (the target is melanin in skin) and characterized by persistent depigmentation and spontaneous dissemination of the lesion foci.

CONCLUSION

CIV develops only in epicutaneous contact with the depigmentation-inducing agent, is phenocopy of vitiligo and mimics its pathognomonic features (including persistent depigmentation and spontaneous dissemination of the lesion foci), but is not inherited.