Optimizing the patch-test concentration of para-tertiary-butylcatechol: results of a prospective study with a dilution series

Patch test results in patients with suspected contact allergy to shoes: Retrospective IVDK data analysis 2009-2018

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by shoes is common and new relevant allergens have been identified.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the pattern of type IV sensitization in patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis of the feet related to shoes as a presumed culprit trigger.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2009-2018.

RESULTS

Six hundred twenty-five patients with presumed shoe dermatitis were identified in a cohort of 119 417 patients. Compared to patients with suspected contact sensitization from other allergen sources (n = 118 792), study group patients were more frequently sensitized to potassium dichromate (10.8% vs 3.5%), colophony (7.2% vs 3.7%), mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT; 4.0% vs 0.6%), mercapto mix (4.6% vs 0.6%), and p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin (1.6% vs 0.5%). Sensitizations to urea formaldehyde resin, melamine formaldehyde resin, glutaraldehyde, tricresyl phosphate, and phenyl glycidylether were rare. Moreover, reactions to compounds in the leather or textile dyes test series were scarce.

CONCLUSION

A distinct sensitization pattern was observed in patients with suspected allergy to shoe materials. Although substances with low sensitization rates should be removed from the leather and shoe patch test series, novel potential allergens should be added.

The Importance of Education When Patch Testing

Education is the keystone of successful management of allergic contact dermatitis. This article outlines practical tips to manage patients' expectations of the patch test process and understand their results. The considerations are outlined in a stepwise fashion from before, during, and after patch testing. Resources for patient information are highlighted, and an update on provider education is also included.

Determination of chemical-specific IgGs in serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with partial peptides of human serum albumin

Many different types of chemicals are used in industry, and occupational allergies are becoming a serious problem in the field of industrial hygiene. In this study, we employed a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with partial peptides of human serum albumin (HSA) to quantify chemical-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum for evaluating exposure to chemicals. When HSA partial peptides containing lysine residues were mixed with formaldehyde (FA) or phthalic anhydride (PA), almost all lysine residues were lost. Mass spectrometry revealed that PA and FA formed imine and tertiary amine, respectively, with lysine residues in the peptides. Thus, we used FA- or PA-peptide adducts as an artificial antigen to detect FA- and PA-specific IgGs in serum. The concentrations of FA- and PA-specific IgGs in workers at plants utilizing plastic resins were significantly higher than those in general subjects. This method can estimate exposure levels to chemicals and thus be expected to contribute to the diagnosis of allergies in workers and to the prevention of health hazards due to harmful chemicals.