TY - JOUR
T1 - A comparative study of allergic contact dermatitis by patch test versus reflectance confocal laser microscopy, with nickel and cobalt
AU - Nishijima Sakanashi, Emi
AU - Matsumura, Mitsuaki
AU - Kikuchi, Katsuko
AU - Ikeda, Masaomi
AU - Miura, Hiroyuki
PY - 2010/11
Y1 - 2010/11
N2 - Few studies have reported on the accuracy of reflectance confocal laser microscopy (RCLM) in observing allergic contact dermatitis in vivo. However, distinction of skin reactions from different reagents is not well understood. We sought to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis by RCLM images and compare with routine, visual patch test (PT) reading for 2 major allergen metals in Japan. The PT was performed on the upper back skin with 5% nickel sulfate (Ni) and 2% cobalt chloride (Co) in eight healthy volunteers and eleven patients. RCLM was used to calculate the thickness of the suprabasal epidermis after visual assessment of PT. Comparison of clinical scoring versus suprabasal epidermal thickness was observed. RCLM images of positive PT showed increased suprabasal epidermal thickness on day 2 (D2), and D3 for Co, whereas there was vesicle formation and an overall increase suprabasal epidermal thickness for Ni. In two of 3 doubtful positive PT to Co, RCLM images presented characteristics of irritant reactions; and one characteristic of a positive reaction. The frequency of Co doubtful-positive PT was higher than that of Ni. We found advantages in using RCLM for visualizing features of allergic contact dermatitis and found it a useful tool as an objective parameter in grading severity and types of PT reaction.
AB - Few studies have reported on the accuracy of reflectance confocal laser microscopy (RCLM) in observing allergic contact dermatitis in vivo. However, distinction of skin reactions from different reagents is not well understood. We sought to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis by RCLM images and compare with routine, visual patch test (PT) reading for 2 major allergen metals in Japan. The PT was performed on the upper back skin with 5% nickel sulfate (Ni) and 2% cobalt chloride (Co) in eight healthy volunteers and eleven patients. RCLM was used to calculate the thickness of the suprabasal epidermis after visual assessment of PT. Comparison of clinical scoring versus suprabasal epidermal thickness was observed. RCLM images of positive PT showed increased suprabasal epidermal thickness on day 2 (D2), and D3 for Co, whereas there was vesicle formation and an overall increase suprabasal epidermal thickness for Ni. In two of 3 doubtful positive PT to Co, RCLM images presented characteristics of irritant reactions; and one characteristic of a positive reaction. The frequency of Co doubtful-positive PT was higher than that of Ni. We found advantages in using RCLM for visualizing features of allergic contact dermatitis and found it a useful tool as an objective parameter in grading severity and types of PT reaction.
KW - Allergic contact dermatitis
KW - Dental alloy
KW - Metal allergy
KW - Patch test
KW - Reflectance confocal laser microscopy
KW - Suprabasal epidermis
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U2 - 10.1684/ejd.2010.1061
DO - 10.1684/ejd.2010.1061
M3 - Article
C2 - 20822971
AN - SCOPUS:78649836777
VL - 20
SP - 705
EP - 711
JO - European Journal of Dermatology
JF - European Journal of Dermatology
SN - 1167-1122
IS - 6
ER -