[Absence of interaction between thiomersal and aluminum occlusion chambers].
BACKGROUND
Positive patch tests to thiomersal are frequent, but of little relevance. Interaction between aluminium occlusive chambers and the mercury of thiomersal may elicit skin irritation and cause false positive results.


METHODS
Between January 1998 and May 1999, the patients were simultaneously patch tested with aluminium and plastic chambers. Positive skin tests were compared.


RESULTS
Seventeen of 213 subjects showed positive tests: 15 with the 2 materials, 1 only for the aluminium chamber, 1 for the plastic chamber.


CONCLUSIONS
The results did not differ for the two materials. We concluded that positive reactions observed were not caused by interaction between aluminium and thiomersal.
Assier-Bonnet
H
H
Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris XII, Créteil.
Slimani
S
S
Revuz
J
J
D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013849:Thimerosal; D000535:Aluminum