Preservatives sensitivity in Israel: a 10‐year overview (1995–2004)

Abstract

This study presents a 10-year survey of 2285 patients tested to common preservatives in northern Israel. The demographic and clinical data were analysed using a revised MOAHLFA index. Patch testing was based on the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) guidelines. 411 (18%) patients were found to have positive reactions to 1 or more preservatives. The most frequent allergens tested positively were thimerosal, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), and formaldehyde. The reactions to MCI/MI remained stable around 1.7% throughout the years 1995-1998, with a significant increase to 3.7%-4% (P = 0.029) during 1999-2004. The reactions to formaldehyde remained low around 0.3% until 1999; however, a considerable increase throughout the years 2000-2004 was noted, with rates of 1.5%-1.9% (P = 0.028). The sensitivity rates for parabens, quaternium-15, imidazolidinylurea, and diazolidinylurea were low and unchanged, mostly under 0.5%. As for methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN), sensitivity rates around 2% were detected for the years 1996 and throughout 2000-2004. Overall, this extensive survey showed a concerning increase in the sensitivity rates for MCI/MI, formaldehyde, and MDBGN.

Long-term trend in patch test reactions: a 32-year statistical overview (1970–2002), part II

“…The sensitization rates of DMDM hydantoin (aqueous and non-aqueous), imidazolidinyl urea (non-aqueous), and diazolidinyl urea (aqueous and non-aqueous), which are also formaldehyde releasers, remained stable since 1992, as found by Zoller and colleagues (22). The significant increase in positive reactions to the aqueous form of imidazolidinyl urea from 1984 to 2002 (p ¼ 0.002) may have contributed to the increase in positive reactions to formaldehyde; increased use patterns may have also been responsible.…”

“…The positivity rate ranged from 4% in 1970 to 9.3% in 1998. Zoller and colleagues showed a similar increase during their study period, but their rate was lower (from 0.3% in 1995 to 1.9% in 2004) (22). Similarly, the quaternium-15 sensitivity rate, a formaldehyde releaser that is widely used, significantly increased from 1976 to 2002, as shown by Nguyen and colleagues (12).…”

“…The lower concentration test (0.2% vs. 1% or 2.5% in our study) may be a partial explanation. Zoller and colleagues (22) also found an increase in the sensitization rate of Euxyl K400 (mixture of MDGN and phenoxyethanol), but nonstatistically significant and with rates similar to those of Wilkinson and colleagues (23). After controversy over the MDGN test concentration, 0.5% seems to be appropriate (25).…”

“…The number of positive reactions to thimerosal seemed stable from 1994 to 2000 at approximately 10.5%. Zoller and colleagues, who collected data on all patients tested in a referral center in Israel from 1995 to 2004, found a sensitization rate to thimerosal stable but lower at approximately 4% (22). Similarly, Wilkinson and colleagues, who monitored levels of preservative sensitivity in Europe between 1991 and 2000, found a stable low rate of positive reactions at approximately 1% (23).…”

Differential immunotoxic effects of inorganic and organic mercury species in vitro

“…In case-control studies, Hg exposure (measured as total Hg in urine) has been associated with increased risk of lupus(Cooper et al, 2004)and greater severity of scleroderma (Arnett et al, 1996). Thimerosal has been shown to be a potent allergen in human populations, with a relatively high prevalence of allergic individuals in populations worldwide(Pratt et al, 2004; Slodownik and Ingber, 2005; Wetter et al, 2005; Zoller et al, 2006; Zug et al, 2008). We have reported that environmental and occupational exposures to elemental and iHg are positively correlated with serum levels of autoantibodies (Gardner et al, 2010; Silva et al, 2004).…”