Routine patch testing with a series of 6 industrial
biocides containing
methylene-bis-thiocyanate (Cytox 3522), benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT),
chlorocresol (Preventol CMK),
2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (
Kathon 893), polyhydroxymethylene monobenzylether (
Preventol D2) or 1,3,5-tris (hydroxy-ethyl) hexahydrotriazine (
Grotan BK) was carried out in 6 Danish out-patient clinics to evaluate guinea pig
allergy test results with the same compounds. A total of 1652 consecutive patients with
dermatitis were tested. The usefulness of this patch test battery was limited. There were a few positive reactions to Cytox 3522, BIT and the 2
formaldehyde releasers,
Preventol D2 and
Grotan BK. These reactions could not, however, be explained. The MOAHL-index (% of Male patients, Occupational cases, Atopic patients, Hand eczemas, and
Leg ulcers/stasis
dermatitis) for patients from the 6 clinics showed equal frequencies of male patients and atopics, but significant differences in the frequencies of occupational cases, hand eczemas, and
leg ulcers/stasis
dermatitis, indicating possible variations in referral patterns, use of patch tests, and/or environmental factors.