Concentration variability of potent allergens of p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (PTBP-FR) in patch test preparations and commercially available PTBP-FR

Abstract

Our data suggest that reporting resin concentration in petrolatum is not predictive of a consistent concentration of the two main allergens of PTBP-FR. The 10-fold difference in allergen concentration between different patch test preparations has significant ramifications for maintaining consistent dose of delivered allergen. The results of this study reinforce the need for patch test product standardization in the contact dermatitis community.

Is p‐tert‐butylphenol‐formaldehyde resin (PTBP‐FR) in TRUE Test® (Mekos test) sensitizing the tested patients?

“…The sensitizing substances are relatively small substances with molecular weights usually lower than 700, for example monomers, dimers, and trimers. We know from other studies that the concentration of one of the main sensitizers (substance 2) can vary more than 10-fold in different PTBP-FRs (16). When comparing the concentrations of some monomers, Corresponding values published previously for two other PTBP-FRs (PTBP-FR 1 and 2) are given for comparison (2,5,13).…”

A case of allergic contact dermatitis caused by goalkeeper gloves

“…PTBFR is manufactured by heating a mixture of p‐tert ‐butylphenol and formaldehyde. This production method is not standardized …”

“…This production method is not standardized. 2 We hypothesize that the adhesive agent used in the patient's glove was not p-tert-butylphenol but another phenol compound. This phenol compound was added in a random order, so the resin had a very complicated chemical structure.…”

Plastic Materials and Glues

“…Two main allergens, dimer IX and dimer X, have been isolated [55]. Different commercial patch-test preparations can have tenfold differences in the concentrations of the two main allergens [56]. Simultaneous reactions to para-tertiary butylcatechol occur, and this chemical has been found in some p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resins [57,58].…”