title: Is PPD a useful screening agent?
abstract: In this study, the usefulness was assessed of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) base as a marker for contact allergy to para-compounds and disperse dyes. 59 patients with a positive reaction to PPD were patch tested with a series of para compounds and disperse dyes. This dyes series was also tested in patients with a suspect medical history of contact allergy to hair, fabric or leather dyes. In total 610 patients were tested. As 24 patients became positive over the weekend, late readings, day 6 or 7, are important. These reactions were most probably relevant in 17/24 patients. Positive reactions to PPD correlated well with reactions to para compounds like p-aminoazobenzene and p-toluenediamine sulphate but not with disperse dyes. Reactions to Disperse Blue (106, 124) and Orange (1 and 3) were seen most frequently. PPD is a good screening agent for hair dye, but not for disperse dye, sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Dermatology, Free University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Koopmans
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Bruynzeel
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010328:Patch Tests; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010655:Phenylenediamines; C029728:4-phenylenediamine