title: Decreasing Rates of Neomycin Sensitization in Western Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neomycin contact sensitization rates in North America range from 7% to 13%, whereas in Europe they average approximately 1.9%.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Given that topical neomycin products are no longer readily available in Canada, the aim of this study was to examine what influence this may have had on neomycin sensitization rates in the 3 western provinces.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of an observation originally communicated by L. M. Parsons and C. Zhang of the University of Calgary, which suggested significantly reduced rates of neomycin sensitization in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a multicenter study of patch test results from 5690 patient charts was undertaken. Data from 3 other western Canadian Universities (the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Alberta, and the University of British Colombia) were analyzed. Data were available from 2001 to 2013 for the University of Saskatchewan (except 2006), whereas the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia had data from 2009 to 2013. Descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and risk estimates were determined using SPSS version 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitization rates for neomycin have decreased in western Canada and are now similar to those of Europe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trend is likely influenced by the reduced availability of over-the-counter and prescription neomycin products in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Departments of Medicine & Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada john.elliott@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Departments of Medicine & Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Gannes
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Departments of Medicine & Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toussi
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Departments of Medicine & Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Azita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milani
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009355:Neomycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009355:Neomycin
keywords: dermatitis; dermatology; immunology; inflammatory dermatoses