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Are concomitant patch test reactions to epoxy resin and BIS‐GMA indicative of cross‐reactivity?
Author(s) -
Geier Johannes,
Lessmann Holger,
Uter Wolfgang,
Schnuch Axel
Publication year - 2007
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.1600-0536.2007.01249.x
Subject(s) - epoxy , reactivity (psychology) , bisphenol a , methacrylate , concomitant , patch test , chemistry , polymer chemistry , medicine , organic chemistry , surgery , allergy , polymer , immunology , polymerization , pathology , alternative medicine
Background: Despite rare simultaneous exposure, concomitant sensitisation to bisphenol A diglycidyl methacrylate (BIS‐GMA) and epoxy resin frequently occurs. Immunological cross‐reactivity has not been proven by animal experiments so far. Objective: Our objective was to examine cross‐reactivity epidemiologically by analysing data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK). Patients/methods: From 2001 to 2005, 3,777 patients were patch tested with epoxy resin and BIS‐GMA in the IVDK. We retrospectively analysed concomitant reactions to these allergens and to BIS‐GMA and selected methacrylates. Additionally, we compared clinical characteristics of patients reacting to both, epoxy resin and BIS‐GMA, with those of patients reacting to epoxy resin or BIS‐GMA only. Results: 185 patients reacted to epoxy resin, and 40 to BIS‐GMA. Of the latter, 34 reacted to epoxy resin. There was no difference concerning exposure between the above‐mentioned groups of patients. Concomitant reactions to BIS‐GMA and methacrylates hardly ever occurred. Conclusions: Considering the fact that very few patients had been potentially exposed to BIS‐GMA and that 85% of those reacting to BIS‐GMA also reacted to epoxy resin, we conclude that our data are presumably indicative of immunological cross‐reactivity. A verification of this hypothesis by animal experiments would be promising.