Marie Baeck

The dramatic increase in the rate of methylisothiazolinone contact allergy in Belgium: a multicentre study.

The rate of contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylisothiazolinone (MI) is dramatically increasing throughout Europe.

Allergic hypersensitivity to topical and systemic corticosteroids: a review.

 Corticosteroids, which are potent anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulator agents used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases including allergic diseases, can in some cases produce immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions. This review summarizes the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of such reactions, including related diagnostic issues. It also presents a detailed analysis of the proposed immunological mechanisms including underlying cross‐reactions.

Delayed hypersensitivity to corticosteroids in a series of 315 patients: clinical data and patch test results

Background: Corticosteroids may cause immediate or delayed hypersensitivity. In 1989, based on structural and clinical characteristics, we put forward a classification of corticosteroids into four cross‐reacting groups, namely group A, B, C, and D, the latter later subdivided into two subgroups, i.e. D1 and D2. The constituents on the D‐ring of the corticosteroid‐molecule are considered to have a central role for binding to skin proteins and for cross‐reactions patterns; however, halogenation of the molecules is also interfering.

Corticosteroid cross‐reactivity: clinical and molecular modelling tools

To cite this article: Baeck M., Chemelle J.A., Goossens A., Nicolas J.F., Terreux R. Corticosteroid cross‐reactivity: clinical and molecular modelling tools. Allergy 2011; 66: 1367–1374.

Immediate and delayed allergic hypersensitivity to corticosteroids: practical guidelines

Background. Corticosteroids (CS), anti‐inflammatory drugs also widely used to treat various allergic diseases, may themselves give rise to immediate and delayed allergic hypersensitivity reactions.

Patients with airborne sensitization/contact dermatitis from budesonide-containing aerosols 'by proxy'.

Background: Inhalation corticosteroids (CSs), despite their wide use, rarely cause sensitization in subjects administering them.

C-16-methyl corticosteroids are far less allergenic than the non-methylated molecules

Background. It has been confirmed that binding to amino acids in skin proteins takes place at C21 after oxidation of the corticosteroid molecule, which gives to the constituents of the D‐ring an essential role in cross‐reactivity patterns. In 2000, Matura et al. subdivided the corticosteroid esters of the D‐group into two subgroups: D1, the ‘stable’ esters; and D2, the ‘labile’ esters. Recent data have indicated that non‐methylated corticosteroids selectively react with arginine to form stable cyclic adducts, which are probably implicated in sensitization to corticosteroids.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by isobornyl acrylate in Freestyle® Libre, a newly introduced glucose sensor

Glucose sensors, such as FreeStyle® Libre, are innovative medical devices developed for diabetes patients as a replacement for classic glucose meters, ensuring continuous glucose monitoring without the disadvantage of regular skin finger pricks.

Allergic contact dermatitis from transdermal buprenorphine

Background:  Buprenorphine is a low‐molecular‐weight, lipophilic, opioid analgesic. The transdermal delivery system (TDS) containing it has skin irritation potential, but at least two cases of contact allergy to the active principal have been described previously.

Systemic contact dermatitis to corticosteroids

Although unexpected and paradoxical, allergic hypersensitivity to corticosteroids is a common finding, delayed‐type reactions being much more frequently encountered than the immediate‐type ones. Although the skin is the main sensitization and elicitation route, other routes, amongst them systemic administration of corticosteroids may exceptionally be involved.