title: Current patch test results with the European baseline series and extensions to it from the 'European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy' network, 2007-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pattern of contact sensitization to the supposedly most important allergens assembled in the baseline series differs between countries, presumably at least partly because of exposure differences. Objectives. To describe the prevalence of contact sensitization to allergens tested in consecutive patients in the years 2007 and 2008, and to discuss possible differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 39 departments in 11 European countries comprising the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy network (www.essca-dc.org) in this period have been pooled and analysed according to common standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patch test results with the European baseline series, and country-specific or department-specific additions to it, obtained in 25 181 patients, showed marked international variation. Metals and fragrances are still the most frequent allergens across Europe. Some allergens tested nationally may be useful future additions to the European baseline series, for example methylisothiazolinone, whereas a few long-term components of the European baseline series, namely primin and clioquinol, no longer warrant routine testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present analysis points to 'excess' prevalences of specific contact sensitization in some countries, although interpretation must be cautious if only few, and possibly specialized, centres are representing one country. A comparison as presented may help to target in-depth research into possible causes of 'excess' exposure, and/or consideration of methodological issues, including modifications to the baseline series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. wolfgang.uter@imbe.med.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aberer
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Armario-Hita
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Vozmediano
authors.forename: Fabio
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authors.lastname: Ayala
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authors.lastname: Balato
authors.forename: Andrea
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authors.lastname: Bauer
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authors.lastname: Ballmer-Weber
authors.forename: Aiste
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authors.lastname: Beliauskiene
authors.forename: Anna Belloni
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authors.lastname: Fortina
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authors.lastname: Bircher
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brasch
authors.forename: Mahbub M U
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Pieter-Jan
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Coenraads
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schuttelaar
authors.forename: Sue
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authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Magda
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authors.lastname: Czarnecka-Operacz
authors.forename: Maria
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authors.lastname: Zmudzinska
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authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: John S C
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: Peter J
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authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: Thomas
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authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Juan
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authors.lastname: García-Gavín
authors.forename: Virginia
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authors.lastname: Fernández-Redondo
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gawkrodger
authors.forename: Ana
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authors.lastname: Giménez-Arnau
authors.forename: Cathy M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Jeanne Duus
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Riitta
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authors.lastname: Jolanki
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pesonen
authors.forename: Clodagh M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krêcisz
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chomiczewska
authors.forename: Marta
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authors.lastname: Kiec-Swierczynska
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Larese
authors.forename: Vera
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authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ormerod
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peserico
authors.forename: Tapio
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authors.lastname: Rantanen
authors.forename: Thomas
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authors.lastname: Rustemeyer
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pérez
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sansom
authors.forename: Juan Fco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Radoslaw
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spiewak
authors.forename: Barry N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Statham
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Mark
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authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Axel
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mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010328:Patch Tests; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008670:Metals; D010476:Perfume