title: An 8-year experience with routine SL mix patch testing supplemented with Compositae mix in Denmark.
abstract: Routine patch testing with sesquiterpene lactone (SL) mix, supplemented with Compositae mix (CM) and other Compositae extracts and allergens where appropriate, was evaluated over an 8-year period. 190 of 4386 patients tested (4.3%) were Compositae-sensitive, 143 females (mean age 51.5 years) and 47 males (mean age 55 years), and 83% of reactions considered clinically relevant. 22% were suspected of occupational sensitization/dermatitis. 62% had a contact allergy to 2 or more compounds, most often to nickel, fragrance and colophonium. SL mix detected 65%, CM 87% of Compositae-allergic patients, and the overall detection rate with both mixes was 93%. Few irritant reactions and no cases of clear-cut active sensitization were recorded with the mixes, but our results emphasize the importance of differentiating late-appearing reactivation reactions from patch test sensitization. The weakly positive CM reactions could reflect some irritancy, but as they were associated with fragrance and/or colophonium allergy to a higher degree than weakly positive SL mix reactions, they probably represented cross-reactions. In conclusion, the detection rate with SL mix was high enough to support its continued use as a screening mix and it was very well and rather safely supplemented by aimed testing with CM.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Paulsen
authors: K E
authors: KE
authors: Andersen
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Hausen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000592:standards*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes