title: Contact sensitivity in patients with leg ulcerations: a North American study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To determine the prevalence of allergen sensitivity in patients with past or present leg ulcers in 2 North American study centers vs European study findings and the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) database and (2) to delineate a standard battery of allergens for patch testing in North American patients that is representative of the newer dressings and wound care products.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients, with or without dermatitis, were prospectively entered in the study. The patients were patch tested to the NACDG standard series and a comprehensive supplemental series of 52 allergens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wound healing clinics at Boston University Roger Williams Medical Center and University of Ottawa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three percent (n = 34) of patients had 1 or multiple positive patch test results, and 37% (n = 20) had no positive patch test result. The most common allergens were Myroxylon pereirae (balsam of Peru) (30% [16/54]), bacitracin (24% [13/54]), fragrance mix (20% [11/54]), wood tar mix (20% [11/54]), propylene glycol (14% [7/52]), neomycin sulfate (13% [7/54]), benzalkonium chloride (13% [7/54]), carba mix (11% [6/54]), nickel sulfate (11% [6/54]), and control gel hydrocolloid (11% [6/54]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparable to European study findings, there is a high incidence of positive patch test results in patients with past or present leg ulcerations. The incidences of the most common allergens in our patient population were higher than those seen in the NACDG, except for nickel. Using a modified leg ulcer series along with the standard NACDG series is important in evaluating patients with leg ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Skin Surgery, Boston University Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908, USA.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saap
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fahim
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arsenault
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Tad
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pierscianowski
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falanga
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pedvis-Leftick
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens