Lymphocyte proliferation testing in chromium allergic contact dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Lymphocyte proliferation testing (LPT) has some advantages over patch testing to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis. It is harmless, objective and can be used in clinical situations where patch testing is not recommended. Unfortunately, significant success has only been achieved with nickel. There are few studies on chromium LPT and they were performed with different methods, leading to inconsistent results.


METHODS
To determine the best parameters for chromium LPT, we tested 20 patients with allergic contact dermatitis to the metal and 20 controls, using various protocols.


RESULTS
The best sensitivity and specificity ratios were achieved with 6-day cultures stimulated with a range from 7.5 x 10(-4) to 5 x 10(-3) mol/L of nonfiltered chromium chloride solutions. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values found within this range were 65%, 95% and 80%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation is necessary to achieve better sensitivity values.
Martins
L E A M
LE
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. hd330@yahoo.com
Duarte
A J Da Silva
AJ
Aoki
V
V
Nunes
R S
RS
Ogusuku
S
S
Reis
V M S
VM
D000328:Adult; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002857:Chromium