Premium
Indium and iridium: Two rare metals with a high rate of contact sensitization
Author(s) -
Terrani Isabella,
Scherer Hofmeier Kathrin,
Bircher Andreas J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.13549
Subject(s) - iridium , indium , sensitization , patch test , metal , chemistry , nickel , allergic contact dermatitis , medicine , allergy , immunology , organic chemistry , catalysis
Background Humans are exposed to a variety of metals on a daily basis, and nickel is the most frequent contact allergen. Little is known about the frequency of sensitization to indium and iridium. Objectives Study the prevalence of indium and iridium sensitization and evaluate the optimal patch test conditions. Methods A total of 364 patients were patch tested at the allergy unit of the University Hospital of Basel. Pure metals, metal chlorides, and metal sulfates were applied in petrolatum or water in Inert Quadrate (IQ) test chambers for 2 days and read twice at day (D) 2, and between D4 and D7. Results Eleven patients reacted to indium salts (3.0%), 13 to iridium salts (3.6%), and one reacted to both salts. None of the patients reacted to pure metals. Nineteen of the 23 patients who reacted either to indium or iridium showed concomitant positive reactions to other metals, mainly nickel and palladium. Conclusion This retrospective clinical study provides insight into the prevalence and test conditions of two rarely tested metal allergens in a large patient cohort. A considerable number of indium‐ or iridium‐positive subjects had co‐sensitization to other metals.