Trends in Patch Testing With the Mayo Clinic Standard Series, 2011–2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patch testing to a standard (baseline) series of allergens is the screening tool used to identify culprit allergens in patients with contact dermatitis. The allergens and concentrations used in a standard series are constantly evolving to be most relevant to the patients being patch tested. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the 2011-2015 patch test results of the Mayo Clinic standard series. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patch test reactions of standard series allergens from 2011 through 2015 and compared these results with the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) reports. CONCLUSIONS: Of 2582 patients included, 1566 (60.7%) had at least 1 positive reaction, and 516 (20.0%) had at least 1 irritant reaction. The 15 allergens with the highest reaction rates (from highest to lowest) were nickel sulfate hexahydrate, methylisothiazolinone, Myroxylon pereirae resin, neomycin sulfate, cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate, benzalkonium chloride, fragrance mix I, potassium dichromate, bacitracin, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, carba mix, formaldehyde, p-phenylenediamine, quaternium-15, and methyldibromo glutaronitrile. Twelve (80%) of these allergens were also in the top 15 of the most recent NACDG report; the 3 allergens not in the NACDG top 15 allergens were potassium dichromate, benzalkonium chloride, and methyldibromo glutaronitrile (the latter 2 allergens are not included in their series).