ABSTRACT
Colistin is indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic infections due to sensitive strains of certain gram-negative bacilli, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A 27-year-old woman had both ears pierced followed by prophylactic application of an ointment containing colistin sulfate 5+ù10U, bacitracin 250 U, liquid paraffin and white petrolatum to 1 gram for 1 week. Patch testing with the ointment, its ingredients resulted in positive reactions to the ointment 'as is', colistin sulfate 5% and 0.5% pet. A 45-year-old man had used the same ointment for 10 days on stasis dermatitis, when edematous eczema developed. Patch tests were positive to the ointment and to colistin sulfate 20% and 10% pet. In a group of 107 workers in the pharmaceutical industry with dermatitis, investigated in Warsaw, Poland, before 1989, one reacted to colistin, tested 1.000.000 U/gr pet. Also in Warsaw, Poland, in the period 1979-1983, 27 pharmaceutical workers, 24 nurses, 30 veterinary surgeons were diagnosed with occupational allergic contact dermatitis from antibiotics.
