title: A spot test for detection of cobalt release - early experience and findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is often difficult to establish clinical relevance of metal exposure in cobalt-allergic patients. Dermatologists and patients may incorrectly assume that many metallic items release cobalt at levels that may cause cobalt dermatitis. Cobalt-allergic patients may be unaware that they are exposed to cobalt from handling work items, causing hand dermatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present early findings with a newly developed cobalt spot test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cobalt spot test based on disodium-1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonate was able to identify cobalt release at 8.3 ppm. The test may also be used as a gel test if combined with an agar preparation. We found no false-positive reactions when testing metals and alloys known not to contain cobalt. However, one cobalt-containing alloy, which elicited cobalt dermatitis in cobalt-allergic patients, was negative upon cobalt gel testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cobalt test detects amounts of cobalt release that approximate the elicitation concentration seen in cobalt-allergic patients. It may serve as a useful tool in dermatology offices and workplaces.
authors.affiliation: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark. jacpth01@geh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Jacob P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.forename: Torkil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
authors.forename: Jeanne D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lidén
authors.forename: Anneli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Julander
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.forename: Morten S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jellesen
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates / Q000737:chemistry; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates; D003035:Cobalt; C004200:1-nitroso-3,6-disulfonate