Usefulness of lymphocyte transformation test and in vitro cytokine release in differentiating between independent and cross-reacting nickel/palladium allergy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Often concomitant patch test (PT) reactivity to palladium (Pd) and nickel (Ni) is found.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine whether lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) could be useful in discrimination between cross-reacting or distinct PT results, and to compare the results with in vitro cytokine production upon Pd or Ni stimulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The study population consisted of two groups: 13 individuals with Pd PT reactions (10 with concomitant Ni PT reaction, 3 individuals with only Pd PT reactivity) and 10 Ni/Pd PT negative individuals. LTT and assessment of cytokine release (interferon-gamma, interleukin-5 [IL-5], IL-8, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor alpha) by cytometric bead assay were performed.

RESULTS:

All 10 patients with positive PT to Ni and Pd showed positive LTT to Ni (P < .05) as compared with the 10 Pd/Ni PT negative patients-but had no significant LTT reaction to Pd. In all, 9 out of 10 Pd/Ni PT negative patients were also LTT negative to Ni and 10 out of 10 to Pd. In the 3 only Pd PT reactors 2 out of 3 remained LTT negative to Ni and 0 out of 3 to Pd. As a major finding, cytokine production gave clearly enhanced IL-5 response to Ni in Ni PT positive individuals (P < .05), whereas Pd PT reactivity was not linked with such enhanced IL-5 production in vitro to Pd.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pd and Ni sensitization are mostly found concomitantly, and cross-reactivity is questioned. By different LTT reactions and particularly IL-5 production in vitro, predominant Ni sensitization becomes more evident.

• Authors: Florian Kapp, Burkhard Summer, Peter Thomas
• Journal: Immunity, inflammation and disease (Immun Inflamm Dis) Vol. 8 Issue 4 Pg. 483-492 (12 2020) ISSN: 2050-4527 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32720755 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2020 The Authors. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Palladium
• Nickel

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cytokines
• Female
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nickel
• Palladium