Francesca Rui

Nickel, cobalt and chromate sensitization and occupation*

Background: Exposure to nickel, cobalt and chromate are important causes of occupational contact dermatitis.

ESSCA results with nickel, cobalt and chromium, 2009–2012

Wolfgang Uter1, Francesca Larese Filon2, Francesca Rui2, Anna Balato3, Mark Wilkinson4, Beata Kr ̧ ecisz5,6, Dorota Chomiczewska-Skora5, Marta Kieć-Świerczyńska5, Marie-Louise A. Schuttelaar7, Peter J. Frosch8,9 and Andreas J. Bircher10 1Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen/Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany, 2Department of Public Health, Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy, 3Department of Dermatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy, 4Department of Dermatology, Chapel Allerton Hospital, LS7 4SA, Leeds, UK, 5Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland, 6Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Institute of Medical Science, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland, 7Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands, 8previously Department of Dermatology, University of Witten/Herdecke, 58448 Witten, Germany, 9previously Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Dortmund, 44137 Dortmund, Germany, and 10Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland

Nickel, chromium and cobalt sensitization in a patch test population in north-eastern Italy (1996-2010).

Background. Sensitization to nickel, cobalt and chromium is frequent in patch test populations. The prevalence is affected by geographical and socio‐cultural factors.

Concurrent sensitization to metals and occupation.

Background. Cosensitization to nickel, cobalt and chromium occurs in the general population and in some occupational groups.

Sensitization to Formaldehyde in Northeastern Italy, 1996 to 2012.

BackgroundFormaldehyde is a widely used organic compound, used in several applications (hard thermoset resins, adhesives, disinfectants, tissue fixatives, etc), in its free form or released by formaldehyde releaser products. Its use is under control due to its toxic, carcinogenic, and allergenic properties. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of formaldehyde sensitization, time trend, and correlation to occupations. MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional study on a population of 23,774 patients tested from 1996 to 2012 in Northeastern Italy. ResultsFrequency of sensitization was 3.3%, without any significant time trend. Hands (39.8% overall) and face (25.6% females, 15.5% males) were mainly involved. We found a trend toward decrease by age in females (3.11% in first quintile [14–26 years], 2.29% in fifth quintile [59–97 years], P < 0.01). On a logistic regression analysis (control group: white-collar workers), we found associations in health care (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.81), wood (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.30–3.51), and textile (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.14–2.79) sectors and professional drivers (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.05–3.60). We found a high rate of cosensitization to formaldehyde in patients with positive patch test reactions to quaternium-15 (OR, 18.7; 95% CI, 12.6–27.7). ConclusionsSensitization to formaldehyde is relevant in our population, especially in the health care sector, wood and textile industries, and professional drivers. No significant time trend was found.

Occupational sensitization to epoxy resins in Northeastern Italy (1996–2010)

Abstract Background: One of the main health concerns of epoxy resins is their role as skin sensitizer. This sensitization is not uncommon, because the prevalence ranges around 1–12% of the general population. Objectives: Perform a cross sectional study in a patch test population from Northeastern Italy to investigate the prevalence of epoxy resins sensitization among patients with suspected contact dermatitis. Subsequently, relate findings to patients’ occupation and evaluate time trend of prevalence. Methods: The final study database included 19 088 consecutive patients, tested from 1996 to 2010 in Northeastern Italy. Results: The overall prevalence of epoxy resins sensitization was 0·89%. Dermatitis most frequently involved hands (40·25%). In both sexes, we find a significant correlation in mechanics, woodworkers, and chemical industry workers; and in males only, among farmers and fishers, construction workers, and unemployed. We found significant increase of sensitization in construction workers in the analyzed period. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of sensitization to epoxy resins in Northeastern Italy is in line with other European countries, but we found an increased risk of sensitization in some professions and an increasing trend of prevalence in construction workers. Better preventive actions are strongly advised in higher risk professions, with particular attentions towards building sector.

ESSCA results with the baseline series, 2002-2012: p-phenylenediamine

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by p‐phenylenediamine (PPD) is common among all age groups and both sexes. Monitoring of prevalence and intensity of sensitization is important.

Gene expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in occupational exposure to nickel

Abstract:  Allergic contact dermatitis is preceded by a clinically silent phase of sensitisation. In this study, we investigated whether the expression levels of six genes were related to nickel exposure and/or nickel sensitisation, and whether they could predict allergic manifestations to nickel. The mRNA expression level of six genes involved in cell growth (PIM1 and ETS2), metabolism/synthesis (HSD11B1 and PRDX4), apoptosis (CASP8) and signal transduction (CISH) was investigated by means of quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR in a cohort of 110 subjects, including healthy controls (n = 51), nickel‐exposed workers (n = 23) and patients allergic to nickel (n = 36). Our findings show that the expression levels of the analysed genes did not differ between allergic patients and healthy controls, while higher expression levels of ETS2 and CASP8 were detected in the nickel‐exposed workers. Changes in ETS2 and CASP8 expression are likely to be related to nickel exposure rather than to allergy.

Primin sensitization in north-eastern Italy: a temporal trend from 1996 to 2012

Primin is the main contact allergen found in the ornamental plant Primula obconica Hance.

Healthcare workers and skin sensitization: north-eastern Italian database

BACKGROUND Working in healthcare is regarded as a risk factor for occupational skin disease. Workers are exposed to disinfectants, soaps, detergents and latex and need to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. AIMS To investigate the association between healthcare work and patch test reactions to various potential sensitizers in a population of contact dermatitis patients in various dermatology and occupational medicine units in north-eastern Italy. METHODS Patients with suspected allergic dermatitis underwent patch testing. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted by age and sex, were calculated for healthcare workers (HCWs), using white-collar workers as control group. RESULTS HCWs represented 14% of the sample of 19088 patients (68% women, 32% men). Among HCWs, both sexes had a higher risk of developing hand/forearm dermatitis (females: OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.8-2.5; males: OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.1). HCWs had an increased risk of sensitization to formaldehyde (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.2-2.3) and to p-phenylenediamine (OR 1.6; CI 1.1-2.3). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests a significant association between healthcare work, hand/forearm dermatitis and sensitization to formaldehyde and p-phenylenediamine.