Contact hypersensitivity to epoxy resin, methyldibromoglutaronitrile, tixocortol pivalate and budesonide in Hungary: a study in 1448 patients.

AIM: In order to map the frequency of contact hypersensitivity (CH) to epoxy resin, methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN), tixocortol pivalate (TP) and budesonide patch tests were carried out. METHODS: The tests were performed in 1448 patients. Most patients belong to the allergic and irritative contact dermatitis groups. The tests were administered with the allergens epoxy resin 1%, MDBGN 0.3%, TP 1% and budesonide 0.1%, applied on the back. Reactions were evaluated at 40 min, on day 2 (D2), day 3 (D3) and day 4 (D4). In the patients of the Dept. of Dermatology, Venerology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University (patients number =1073) reactions were evaluated on day 7 as well. RESULTS: Epoxy resin elicited immediate reactions in 1 patient at 40 min. Further evaluations showed no difference on D3, D4 and D7 with a frequency of CH of 1.03%. Patch testing for MDBGN did not provoke immediate reactions, evaluations showed an increasing hypersensitivity rate (D2: 0.93%; D7:1.77%). Patch tests with TP yielded no immediate reactions, the frequency of CH increased from 0.47% (D2) to 2.01% (D7). No immediate reactions were observed by budesonide; an increase was seen in frequency of CH (D2:0.93% to D7:3.84%). CH to the studied allergens was observed mostly in allergic contact dermatitis group, to budesonide in irritative contact dermatitis and in atopic dermatitis groups as well. CONCLUSION: The data of the present study are the first results about this four allergens in Hungary and to our knowledge from our region as well.

Periocular dermatitis: a report of 401 patients.

BACKGROUND: Periocular contact dermatitis may appear as contact conjunctivitis, contact allergic and/or irritative eyelid and periorbital dermatitis, or a combination of these symptoms. The clinical symptoms may be induced by several environmental and therapeutic contact allergens. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to map the eliciting contact allergens in 401 patients with periocular dermatitis (PD) by patch testing with environmental and ophthalmic contact allergens. METHODS: Following the methodics of international requirements, 401 patients were tested with contact allergens of the standard environmental series, 133 of 401 patients with the Brial ophthalmic basic and supplementary series as well. RESULTS: Contact hypersensitivity was detected in 34.4% of the patients. Highest prevalence was seen in cases of PD without other symptoms (51.18%), in patients of PD associated with ophthalmic complaints (OC; 30.4%), and PD associated with atopic dermatitis (AD; 27.9%). In the subgroup of PD associated with seborrhoea (S) and rosacea (R), contact hypersensitivity was confirmed in 17.6%. Most frequent sensitisers were nickel sulphate (in 8.9% of the tested 401 patients), fragrance mix I (4.5%), balsam of Peru (4.0%), paraphenylendiamine (PPD) (3.7%), and thiomersal (3.5%). By testing ophthalmic allergens, contact hypersensitivity was observed in nine patients (6.7% of the tested 133 patients). The most common confirmed ophthalmic allergens were cocamidopropyl betaine, idoxuridine, phenylephrine hydrochloride, Na chromoglycinate, and papaine. LIMITATIONS: Patients with symptoms of PD were tested from 1996 to 2006. CONCLUSIONS: The occurence of contact hypersensitivity in PD patients was in present study 34.4%. A relatively high occurrence was seen in cases of PD without other symptoms, in PD + OC and in PD + AD patients. The predominance of environmental contact allergens was remarkable: most frequent sensitizers were nickel sulphate, fragrance mix I, balsam of Peru, thiomersal, and PPD. The prevalence of contact hypersensitivity to ophthalmic allergens did not exceed l.5%.

Contact and aeroallergens in adulthood atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a clinically well-defined, chronic-intermittant, genetically predisposed skin disease. The increasing number of adult cases observed in the last years has turned the attention to ascertaining factors eliciting skin symptoms. Studies have revealed numerous environmental components (e.g. contact and aeroallergens) that may play an important role in sustaining the symptoms. The aim of the study was to search for contact allergens and aeroallergens triggering the skin disease in adult AD patients. METHODS: Patients over 18 years from our Atopy Outpatient Department were included in the study. Diagnosis of AD was based on the clinical criteria of Hanifin and Rajka. The distribution of skin symptoms was characteristic for adult AD: hands, shoulders, neck, flexures, face and eyelids. The extremities and the trunk were less involved. The potentially provoking contact and aeroallergens were examined in symptom and drug-free period with atopy patch and epicutaneous tests (APT, ET), which were supplemented by in vitro allergy and Prick tests. The relevance of sensibilization was evaluated by the comparison of in vivo and in vitro test results, medical history and skin symptoms. RESULTS: A total number of 34 cases of adult AD (23 women and 11 men) were studied. Four of them were classified into the intrinsic group (IG; 12%), and 30 were classified into the extrinsic group (EG; 88%). The incidence of contact sensitization to environmental allergens was remarkable: 13 of the EG, 1 of the IG (14 of 34, 41%). In the IG, a late thiomersal positivity was detected without clinical relevance. In the EG, epicutaneous standard series late positivity was seen in 13 patients, in four of them with multiple sensitivity. The allergens causing positivity were nickel (6 of 13), thiomersal (3 of 13), mercury-amidochlorate (3 of 13), mercury-chloride (2 of 13), iodine chlorhyrdoxyquin (1 of 13), lanalcolum (1 of 13) and fragrance mix (1 of 13). Among the detected allergens, the following were relevant: lanalcolum (1 of 13: cosmetics), fragrance mix (1 of 13: cosmetics), nickel (1 of 13: metal objects), thiomersal (1 of 13: eyedrops). No immediate response was seen with APT. Relevant late positivity was shown with APT test in one patient in the IG (1 of 4) to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. We observed late positivity in 18 patients in the EG (18 of 30). Among the detected allergens, the following were clinically relevant: D. pteronyssinus and/or Dermatophagoides farinae (15 of 18), cat epithel (4 of 18), timothy pollen (1 of 18) and dog epithel (1 of 18). Furthermore, we examined the relevance of APT, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) tests and Prick tests. We observed multiplex positivity by specific IgE tests, APT and Prick tests in 14 patients in EG. Sensitization to D. pteronyssinus and/or D. farinae (11 of 14) cat epithel (4 of 14), dog epithel (1 of 14) and timothy pollen (1 of 14) proved to be clinically relevant with the atopic skin symptoms and medical history. CONCLUSION: The proportion of contact sensitization to environmental allergens in the 34 adult atopic patients was remarkable (14 of 34, 41%). Out of the verified contact allergens, nickel, fragrance mix, thiomersal and lanalcolum proved to be relevant. House dust mite and cat epithel proved to be the most common relevant aeroallergens. D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae sensibilization was high, particularly in patients with severe skin symptoms on the face, eyelids and hands. Pollens should be considered in patients with seasonal relapse of AD. Sensitization to animal epithel was usually indicated by the flare-up of skin symptoms upon contact with animals. The relevance of the eliciting effects of sensitization could easily be supported in most cases by the medical history and the distribution of skin symptoms. In some adult AD patients with long-lasting AD, the relevance of triggering factors is hard to determine.

Pressure vessel calculations for VVER-440 reactors.

For the determination of the fast neutron load of the reactor pressure vessel a mixed calculational procedure was developed. The procedure was applied to the Unit II of Paks NPP, Hungary. The neutron source on the outer surfaces of the reactor was determined by a core design code, and the neutron transport calculations outside the core were performed by the Monte Carlo code MCNP. The reaction rate in the activation detectors at surveillance positions and at the cavity were calculated and compared with measurements. In most cases, fairly good agreement was found.

The effect of heat-inactivated Helicobacter pylori on the blastogenic response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori, the most important etiologic factor of gastritis and peptic ulcer, has recently been associated with several extradigestive diseases. Previous studies reported conflicting results on H. pylori eradication in chronic urticaria, in that some studies showed a benefit, while others found no effect. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 24 chronic urticaria patients (13 seropositive/11 seronegative for H. pylori) and 18 healthy controls (9 seropositive/9 seronegative) were stimulated with whole heat-inactivated H. pylori (8 x 10(5), 8 x 10(6 )and 8 x 10(7) bacteria/well), phytohemagglutinin (2 microg/ml) and pokeweed mitogen (5 microg/ml). The proliferative response was determined by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. Helicobacter-specific IgG antibody response was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: There were significantly higher proliferative responses to various concentrations of whole heat-inactivated H. pylori antigen in 6- to 7-day cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic urticaria patients compared to healthy controls. We found a tendency to exhibit a higher proliferative response to either Helicobacter antigens or mitogens in seropositive compared to seronegative patients. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that there is an increased lymphocyte reactivity in chronic urticaria, perhaps further enhanced by the presence of H. pylori which, therefore, may be involved as a trigger in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria.

[Contact dermatitis after topical use of ketoprofen gel]. / Ketoprofen tartalmú gél használatát követóen kialakult kontakt ekzema.

Authors present 5 cases of generalized contact and photocontact dermatitis due to topically applied ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. They investigated the sensitisation and photosensitisation to the drug and also the possible cross-reactivity.

[Clinical case of latex contact urticaria]. / Latex contact urticaria klinikai esete.

A case of a 21-year-old nurse with the clinical features of contact urticaria due to latex is presented. Urticaria on the hands provoked by latex content rubber gloves was followed by generalized urticaria, angio-oedem and dyspnoe. The latex sensibilisation was provoked by Prick test and by the demonstration of specific IgE antibodies. The case presentation calls the attention to this condition which somehow is left out of consideration in Hungary.

[Computerized data base for recording information on patients with hypersensitivity to metals]. / Számítógéppel értékelhetö etiológiai adatlap fémérzékeny betegek adatainak rögzítésére.

The authors describe a computer analysable etiological card used for registration of data of Ni hypersensitive patients' with oral symptoms. The collection and evaluation of the data related to the pathological changes and predisposing factors can be useful in prevention of development of hypersensitivity or clinical symptoms of hypersensitivity in cases belonging to this risk group.

Epidemiology of nickel allergy: results of a follow-up analysis of patients with positive patch tests to nickel.

In a previous paper, we reported on nickel sensitivity in 2400 consecutive patients in 5 countries. 3 years later, we reassessed 104 of the 157 nickel-positive patients of this former study and found 13 now to be negative to nickel sulphate. Nearly all the others can no longer tolerate nickel contact. 68 patients were free from nickel dermatitis, 16 showed a very mild eczema or dyshidrosis, and 13 were suffering from chronic hand dermatitis. 42 of 104 patients had changed their occupation, 36 successfully, with clearance of skin lesions. Rehabilitation by avoidance of nickel-containing costume jewelry, wrist-watches and clothing buckles, and by change of occupation, is possible and necessary.