Primin in the European standard patch test series for 20 years

Abstract

Primin was included in the European standard series (ESS) in 1984. In 2000, a primin-free variant of Primula obconica, the main source of contact allergy to primin, was introduced in the market. The aim of this study was to analyse the trends of primin allergy in 13 986 consecutively patch-tested eczema patients over a 20-year period from 1985 to 2004. 151 patients gave a positive patch test to primin. The majority were women, in two-third of patients the patch test was relevant and most presented with hand eczema. Only few of the cases (4.7%) were occupational. A significant decline of contact allergy to primin was seen (P < 0.001) over the years affecting all age groups. The frequency was 0.5% during 2000-2004. Contact allergy has been rare since 2000. The low frequency of positive patch test to primin does not support inclusion in the ESS in our region.

Clinico‐etiologic profile of hand dermatitis and patch response of patients at a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria: results of a prospective observational study

“…It had a low frequency in previous studies carried out at LUTH It may be an allergen to watch due to the increasing awareness and practice of horticulture or gardening in households in Lagos. Ironically, its removal from the European series is presently being considered as there are declining positive reactions to it in the West . The response to treatment as outlined by the consensus statement on the management of hand eczema was an improvement in the severity of the dermatitis at the 6‐week follow‐up visit …”

Current patch test results with the European baseline series and extensions to it from the ‘European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy’ network, 2007–2008

“…The sesquiterpene lactone mix elicited positive patch test reactions in <1% of cases in those countries testing it; the frequencies of sensitization to different Compositae mixes aimed at also covering allergens beyond the three most important sesquiterpene lactones included in the sesquiterpene lactone mix were in a similar range. Primin has repeatedly been found to be an unimportant allergen, except possibly in special regional situations (3, 5, 14); its exclusion from the European baseline series should be discussed (35). Oil of turpentine is sometimes regarded as a ‘historical’ allergen, as its main use as a solvent for paints and related products has mostly been abandoned, except in ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’ types of product.…”

European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009–2014

“…An interesting observation is that three pairs contain primin, twice together with a topical medicament, and once with mercaptobenzothiazole-mercapto mix. Primin is the main allergen of Primula obconica H., and primin allergy occurs mainly in florists and gardeners (49). The relationships with clioquinol, an antiseptic agent used in both topicals and eye drops, and with tixocortol-21-pivalate, a corticosteroid, are not easily explained.…”