Monitoring contact sensitization to p‐phenylenediamine (PPD) by patch testing with PPD 0.3% in petrolatum. (19th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Geier, Johannes; Ballmer‐Weber, Barbara K.; Dickel, Heinrich; Frosch, Peter J.; Bircher, Andreas; Weisshaar, Elke; Hillen, Uwe
• Is Part Of: Contact dermatitis. Volume 69:Number 1(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2013-06-19
• Subjects: Contact dermatitis -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.12075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-1873

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cod12075-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Being a contact allergen of general relevance, <italic>p</italic>‐phenylenediamine (PPD) is patch tested in the baseline series. However, PPD 1% in petrolatum may actively sensitize. Patch testing with PPD at 0.35% pet. proved to be safe, as far as active sensitization is concerned.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12075-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To determine whether PPD 0.3% pet. reliably detects PPD sensitization.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12075-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Patch testing with PPD 0.3% pet. and 1% pet. synchronously was performed in consecutive patients in a multicentre study within the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12075-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Altogether, 2042 patients were patch tested. PPD 1% pet. yielded 6.0% positive reactions (n = 123), and PPD 0.3% pet. yielded 4.7% (n = 95). The synchronous reproducibility of PPD reactions was similar as known from parallel patch tests with identical PPD concentrations. The diagnostic properties of PPD 0.3% pet. expressed as reaction index and positivity ratio were good. Of the 123 patients reacting to PPD 1% pet., 32 (26%) had no positive reaction to PPD 0.3% pet. In 22 of these 32 patients (69%), no clinical relevance could be found.</p> </sec> <sec id="cod12075-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>As patch testing with PPD 0.3% pet. is reliable according to our results, we recommend replacing PPD 1% pet. in the baseline series with PPD 0.3% pet.</p> </sec> </abstract>