title: Patch testing with rubber series in Europe: a critical review and recommendation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rubber additives constitute an important group of contact allergens, particularly in certain occupations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To collect information regarding the current practice of using a 'rubber series' in Europe, and discuss this against the background of evidence concerning the prevalence of allergy in order to derive a recommendation for a 'European rubber series'.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following were performed: (i) a survey targeting all members of the COST action 'StanDerm' consortium, (ii) analysis of rubber contact allergy data in the database of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies, and (iii) a literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Information from 13 countries was available, from one or several departments of dermatology, and occasionally occupational health. Apart from some substances tested only in single departments, a broad overlap regarding important allergens was evident, but considerable variation existed between departments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An up-to-date 'European rubber series' is recommended, with the exclusion of substances only of historical concern. A 'supplementary rubber series' containing allergens of less proven importance, requiring further analysis, is recommended for departments specializing in occupational contact allergy. These should be continually updated as new evidence emerges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, LS7 4SA, UK.
authors.forename: Katharine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Warburton
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen/Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4498-3710
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.affiliation: Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), University Medical Centre, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geier
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Dermatology and Cosmetology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Radoslaw
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spiewak
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Erlangen, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Centre Hôtel-Dieu, AP-HP, Paris University Hospital, 75004, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Noëlle
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Crépy
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marie Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schuttelaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Allergy Centre, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, LS7 4SA, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber
keywords: clinical epidemiology; contact allergy; patch testing; rubber additives; standardization