title: Stability of selected volatile contact allergens in different patch test chambers under different storage conditions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patch test preparations of volatile substances may evaporate during storage, thereby giving rise to reduced patch test concentrations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the stability of selected acrylates/methacrylates and fragrance allergens in three different test chambers under different storage conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Petrolatum samples of methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA), 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate (2-HPA), cinnamal and eugenol in patch test concentrations were stored in three different test chambers (IQ chamber™, IQ Ultimate™, and Van der Bend® transport container) at room temperature and in a refrigerator. The samples were analysed in triplicate with high-performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The decrease in concentration was substantial for all five allergens under both storage conditions in IQ chamber™ and IQ Ultimate™, with the exception of 2-HEMA during storage in the refrigerator. For these two chamber systems, the contact allergen concentration dropped below the stability limit in the following order: MMA, cinnamal, 2-HPA, eugenol, and 2-HEMA. In the Van der Bend® transport container, the contact allergens exhibited acceptable stability under both storage conditions, whereas MMA and 2-HPA required cool storage for maintenance of the limit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Van der Bend® transport container was the best device for storage of samples of volatile contact allergens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kristian F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Mose
authors.forename: Klaus E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Lars Porskjaer
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000171:Acrolein / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage; D005054:Eugenol / Q000737:chemistry*; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010476:Perfume / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D000485:Allergens; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D008689:Methacrylates; D010476:Perfume; D012997:Solvents; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D005054:Eugenol; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate; D000171:Acrolein; C012843:cinnamaldehyde