Patch test series

Thiomersal included in patch-test series has given varying frequencies of positive reactions. Cross-reactions occur to a few organic mercurials, but not to inorganic or metallic mercury. The allergic determinant seems to be the ethyl mercury radical in thiomersal. 

Zachariae, C., K. Engkilde, J.D. Johansen, and T. Menne. 2007. Primin in the European standard patch test series for 20 years. Contact Dermat. 56(6) 344-346. 

Propolis (bee glue) has been used widely in folk medicine in some European countries (e.g., Denmark). It contains, among other things, well-known sensitizers such as cinnamic acid and vanillin. When a commercial propolis ointment was incorporated in the standard patch test series in a Danish dermatology department, 20 of 295 showed positive reactions (Petersen 1977). 

Recommendation by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (1973) Routine patch test series, 1974. Br J Dermatol 89 437-438 Rietschel RL (1978 a) Photocontact dermatitis to hydrocortisone. Contact Dermatitis 4 334-337... 

In another study by Mancuso et al. it was shown that the occupational contact dermatitis of workers in shoe factories was probably a result of solvents in varnishes and adhesives. This study was based on interviews, medical examinations and patch test series. 

Substances from the European Standard Patch-Test Series... 

The current European standard patch-test series from 1994 included 22 substances (Bruynzeel et al. 1995). Not more than seven of these substances were included in the 1998 study (nine different CAS RNs). The remaining substances from the European standard patch-test series were either not relevant to chemical products (i.e. medicaments, pharmaceuticals, perfumery, rubber, metals, plants) or were registered in fewer than 50 products (i.e. potassium dichromate, para-phenylenediamine, parabens). Two substances from the European standard patch-test series not included in the 1990 study were above the exclusion limit in 1998 (para-tert-butylphenol, formaldehyde resin and Quaternium 15). The 1990 study included six substances from the European standard patch-test series (ethylenediamine has since been deleted). 

Fowler et al. retrospectively tested the identified patients with the Chemotechnique Diagnostic patch-test series or the Hermal textile series, the North American Contact Dermatitis Group standard screening tray, and other selected allergens. They used Finn Chambers, removed the patches at two days, and read them at 4 days or 7 days. Of the 678 patients, 16 were patch-test positive to textile formaldehyde resins. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives as well as to textile formaldehyde resins caused allergic reactions in 12 patients. 

Chemical class Allergen(s) present in standard patch-test series... 

Fisher AA (1995) Paint dermatitis the role of routine patch test series in detecting contact allergens in paint. Cutis 56 16 Gan SL, Goh CL, Lee CS, Hui KH (1987) Occupational dermatosis among sanders in the furniture industry. Contact Dermatitis 17 237-240... 

Table 4. Patch-test series for dental personnel. Common contact allergens...

Many patch-test series are worth considering given the diverse agents one is exposed to as a result of home work, including ... 

Apart from standard and specific screening patch-test series, it is recommended that nonirritant dilutions of workplace substances, such as fresh and used metalworking fluids, barrier creams and soaps and their components, be tested. 

Common additives to metal-work fluids and their function (from the metal-working industry/technical fluids patch-test series adapted from Hermal according to the advice of the German Contact Allergy Group (DKG) and the Information Network of Dermatological Clinics (IVDK) (Hermal 1997). 

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