Sensitizations to allergens of TRUE test^® in 864 consecutive eczema patients in Israel

Abstract

The TRUE test is a widespread diagnostic tool for initial patch testing of patients with contact dermatitis (CD). From 2002 to 2005, 864 patients with eczema were patch-tested using TRUE test in one Israeli allergology clinic. 547 (63.3%) patients were female and 317 (36.7%) were male. 346 (40%) patients had > or =1 positive patch test reactions. The most common allergens were nickel sulfate for 114 (13.2%) patients, potassium dichromate 111 (12.8%), fragrance mix 59 (6.8%), cobalt chloride 12 (1.4%), ethylenediamine dihydrochloride 11 (1.3%), epoxy resin 11 (1.3%), balsam of Peru 9 (1.0%), carba mix 7 (0.8%), thiomersal 6 (0.7%), wool alcohol 5 (0.6%), black rubber (PPD) mix 5 (0.6%), neomycin 4 (0.5%); Kathon CG, Colophony and Quaternium 15 - each 2 (0.2%), other allergens - each 1 (0.1%). In male patients, carba mix, black rubber (PPD) mix and epoxy resin sensitivity was more frequent, whereas nickel sulfate, fragrance mix, ethylenediamine dihydrochloride and cobalt chloride sensitivity was significantly more frequent in female patients. Our results are in general agreement with previously published reports, excluding the low sensitivity rates to cobalt, which maybe is missed by TRUE test.

Isolated and concurrent prevalence of sensitization to transition metals in a Spanish population

“…Metals are the most common cause of ACD in many countries 3 . Ni, Cr and Co allergens are present in almost all standard patch test series worldwide, and these allergens are common causes of ACD; 4–15 nevertheless, Pd is not included in standard series. Positive patch test results to Ni, Co and Cr alone and in combinations with one another are well known and have been a source of much investigation 16–20 …”

“…Ni continues to be the major allergen, as shown by the patch test reactions of different studies 4–15 largely due to a high prevalence in young women sensitized by jewellery. Women with ear piercing were more likely to be Ni allergic than women without piercing, and the frequency of Ni allergy increased with the number of piercing, but these associations were not observed in men 6 …”

“…Continuous line: statistically significant association; discontinuous line: association to the limit of the statistical significance and discontinuous line (with points): not significant association. Ni continues to be the major allergen, as shown by the patch test reactions of different studies [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] largely due to a high prevalence in young women sensitized by jewellery. Women with ear piercing were more likely to be Ni allergic than women without piercing, and the frequency of Ni allergy increased with the number of piercing, but these associations were not observed in men.…”

The Effect of Atopy in the Prevalence of Contact Sensitization: The Experience of a Greek Referral Center

“…Our finding is in agreement with previous reports, which have highlighted that benzalkonium chloride 0.1% is prevalent in patients with occupational and atopic dermatitis [ 63 ]. The roles of primin [ 64 – 66 ] and black rubber mix [ 67 , 68 ] have been also documented in contact dermatitis, yet there are no reports for its connection to atopies. Black rubber mix is closely related to MBT 2%, where its unique presence as a sensitization allergen in AT-negative patients confirms the previous observation on MBT 2% sensitization pattern.…”

Systemic Nickel Allergy: Oral Desensitization and Possible Role of Cytokines Interleukins 2 and 10

“…Qualitative and quantitative environmental exposure to sensitizing compounds varies from region to region. Nickel sulphate is generally considered one ofthe most common among substances causingACD (4). Epidemiological studies indicate that it is the number one allergen in frequency of positive patch test reactions both in Europe and in North America (5-7).…”