Prick testing with chemicals in the diagnosis of occupational contact urticaria and respiratory diseases.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Little is known about the use of prick tests with chemicals in diagnosing occupational diseases.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the use of prick tests in the diagnosis of occupational contact urticaria, asthma and rhinitis caused by chemicals (undertaken at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed the patient and test files for the period 1 January 1991 to 31 May 2011. Prick tests were performed with chemical solutions and human serum albumin (HSA)-chemical conjugates.

RESULTS:

Positive prick test reactions to isocyanate-HSA conjugates were associated with isocyanate-specific IgE in all 20 patients, and 17 patients had a relevant occupational disease. Positive reactions to chloramine-T-HSA conjugates in 10 patients also indicated the presence of specific IgE, although occupational diseases were not always diagnosed. Eleven of 17 patients with positive reactions to persulfate solutions were diagnosed with an occupational disease. Methacrylates, colophonium-related substances, amine hardeners, ethanolamines, glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, pyrocatechol and ammonium thioglycolate did not elicit any relevant prick test reactions. No generalized reactions were detected.

CONCLUSION:

Prick tests can be safely used for diagnosing contact urticaria, asthma and rhinitis caused by isocyanates, chloramine-T, persulfates, and chlorhexidine, but the results should be carefully interpreted and related to clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests.

• Authors: Eva Helaskoski, Hille Suojalehto, Outi Kuuliala, Kristiina Aalto-Korte
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 72 Issue 1 Pg. 20-32 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1600-0536 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25289485 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Chloramines
• Isocyanates
• Sulfates
• Tosyl Compounds
• chloramine-T
• Chlorhexidine

Topics

• Asthma (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Chloramines (adverse effects)
• Chlorhexidine (adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Contact (diagnosis, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Occupational (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Isocyanates (adverse effects)
• Retrospective Studies
• Rhinitis (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Skin Tests
• Sulfates (adverse effects)
• Tosyl Compounds (adverse effects)
• Urticaria (chemically induced, diagnosis)