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The inuence of patch test size and design on the distribution of erythema induced by sodium lauryl sulfate
Author(s) -
Nicholson Maria,
Willis Carolyn M.
Publication year - 1999
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.1600-0536.1999.tb06158.x
Subject(s) - erythema , patch test , irritation , dermatology , sampling (signal processing) , contact dermatitis , intensity (physics) , medicine , surgery , allergy , immunology , optics , physics , detector
Patch testing is an invaluable tool for the experimental induction of acute irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), with a variety of chamber systems available for use. Ideally, the inammatory reactions produced should be of uniform intensity across the test area, thereby facilitating grading of the response and tissue sampling for histopathological studies. Unfortunately, annular, follicular and/ or blotchy erythema frequently occur. In this study, we set out to compare the performance of 5 patch test systems (8 mm, 12 mm and 18 mm Finn Chambers; 19 mm and 25 mm Hilltop chambers) when testing normal healthy volunteers with sodium lauryl sulfate at concentrations selected to produce mild, moderate and moderately severe reactions. Visual assessment of the patch test sites revealed good dose responses with all 5 chamber types. Uniformity of erythema across the test site was more closely linked to the actual intensity of response than the delivery system itself, mild reactions being far less likely to display homogeneous erythema than moderately severe reactions. Extra large chambers did not perform signicantly better than smaller chambers. Balancing the need for a uniform reaction pattern and adequate tissue sampling area, against the exposure risk, we conclude that 12 mm Finn Chambers represent the optimum patch test system for acute SLS‐induced irritation where histopathological investigations are the ultimate aim.