Premium
FS10.6
10 years experience with the Allergen Bank
Author(s) -
Ejner Andersen Klaus
Publication year - 2004
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/j.0105-1873.2004.0309cq.x
Subject(s) - allergen , medicine , patch test , dermatology , allergic contact dermatitis , contact dermatitis , patch testing , test (biology) , allergy , immunology , paleontology , biology
The Allergen Bank supplies dermatologists on request with special contact allergens for aimed patch testing of suspected contact dermatitis patients. Easy access to patch test materials beyond the standard patch test series makes it possible for the dermatologists to make an early diagnosis of special cases of allergic contact dermatitis. The Allergen Bank was established in 1992, and the concept described in Acta Derm Venereol 1996; 76: 136–140. The Allergen Bank service is financed through an annual subscription fee, and about 60 Danish dermatologists are currently subscribers.The use of the service has increased steadily over the years. In average, the dermatologists order 6–7 allergens for each patient. The dermatologists use pattern of the bank service varies considerably, probably reflecting what they have available in their clinic of extra allergens beyond the standard series, as well as their patient selection and interest in contact dermatitis. Based on the test results reported back from the dermatologists to the Allergen Bank a total of 197 positive reactions from 107 different contact allergens were found in 2002. This is a yield of approximately 7% positive patch tests related to the number of allergens ordered. The pro's and con's of the Allergen Bank function will be reviewed.