title: Experimental patch testing with chromium-coated materials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromium coatings on metal alloys can be decorative, and prevent corrosion and metal ion release. We recently showed that handling of a chromium-containing disc resulted in chromium deposition on the skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine patch test reactivity to chromium-coated discs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 15 patients: 10 chromium-allergic patients, and 5 patients without chromium allergy. All were patch tested with potassium dichromate, cobalt chloride, nickel sulfate, and nine different metallic discs. The chromium-allergic patients were also patch tested with serial dilutions of potassium dichromate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive/weaker reactions were observed to disc B (1 of 10), disc C (1 of 10), and disc D, disc E, and disc I (4 of 10 each). As no controls reacted to any of the discs, the weak reactions indicate allergic reactions. Positive patch test reactions to 1770 ppm chromium(VI) in the serial dilutions of potassium dichromate were observed in 7 of 10 patients. When the case group was narrowed down to include only the patients with a current positive patch test reaction to potassium dichromate, elicitation of dermatitis by both chromium(III) and chromium(VI) discs was observed in 4 of 7 of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many of the patients reacted to both chromium(III) and chromium(VI) surfaces. Our results indicate that both chromium(VI) and chromium(III) pose a risk to chromium-allergic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, National Allergy Research Centre, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bregnbak
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, National Allergy Research Centre, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jacob P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Surface Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Morten S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jellesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zachariae
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, National Allergy Research Centre, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jeanne D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D011192:Potassium Dichromate / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion; D003035:Cobalt; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel; C018021:cobaltous chloride; D011192:Potassium Dichromate
keywords: allergic chromium dermatitis; allergy; chromium; dermatitis; leather; metals; potassium dichromate