Abstract

The existence of idiosyncrasy to the levorotatory alkaloids, propyl-, isopropyl-, isobutyl- and isoamylhydrocupreine, amyl- and isoamylquitenine, and apoquinine, and to quinoline has been shown by positive skin tests.

An alteration in sensitiveness is reported, occurring in not more than ten weeks, so that idiosyncrasy appeared to isoamylhydrocupreine, whereas it had previously stopped short at the next lower compound in the homologous series of isoalkylhydrocupreines.

Headache following series of positive skin tests with cinchona alkaloids in an individual with quinine idiosyncrasy has become severe and more rapid in onset.

While idiosyncrasy is present to quinine and cinchonidine, it is absent for the corresponding carboxylic alkaloids quitenine and cinchotenidine, which are probable respective hepatic metabolites, and reappears in three esters of quitenine, ethyl-, amyl- and isoamylquitenine.

Strong quinicine or cinchonicine solutions may irritate the scratched skin of normal subjects, and are possible sources of skin irritation to careless workers in a quinine factory.

The presence in quitenine of the acidic carboxyl group is interestingly associated with a reduction in toxicity to the skin structures of the subject, and apparently also to the malarial parasite in the human host, as compared with the closely related quinine and ethylquitenine.