Ole J. Clemmensen

Contact sensitivity to aluminium in a patient hyposensitized with aluminium precipitated grass pollen.

Standard patch testing of a patient with eczema revealed positive reactions to the aluminium discs used for testing. Patch tests with various aluminium allergens were positive in the patient and negative in 53 controls. The patient was having hyposensitization for hay‐fever with an aluminium precipitated allergen. Intradermal testing with aluminium was positive in the patient and negative in nine controls. The eczema disappeared when hypo‐sensitization was discontinued. The possibility of primary sensitization by the hyposensitization procedure is discussed.

Perioral contact urticaria from sorbic acid and benzoic acid in a salad dressing

Contact urticaria was observed in a kindergarten in 18 of 20 children following the intake and accidental perioral application of a mayonnaise salad cream. In healthy adult controls, stinging tests and closed 20 minute patch test with the salad dressing were positive in 9 out of 12 and 4 out of 10 cases respectively. Twenty minute patch tests with the different components of the salad dressing were positive only so sorbic acid (SA) and benzoic acid (BA). Urticaria was provoked by inunction of the salad dressing periorally in two healthy boys. Serial 20 minute closed patch testing with varying concentrations of SA in 91 patients and BA in 41 patients gave almost identical results: positive reactions in two thirds of the patients with the highest concentrations. The response was only partially blocked by anti‐histamine applied locally before testing. Non‐immunologic mechanisms are probably responsible for the transient reaction, and no restriction in the extensive use of SA or BA as preservatives in food should be considered.

Exposure of nickel and the relevance of nickel sensitivity among hospital cleaners

The nickel content of water specimens from consecutive stages during the cleaning process in a Danish hospital was analyzed. Statistically significant increases of the nickel concentrations were found from step to step of (he cleaning, eventually exceeding the theoretical sensitizing safety limit. The relevance of the findings in relation to hand eczema is discussed.

Plasmapheresis in the treatment of psoriasis: A controlled clinical study

Six patients with long-standing, moderately active plaque/nummular psoriasis were treated with either plasmapheresis or sham-plasmapheresis once weekly for 7 weeks in a double-blind controlled trial. No difference was found between active treatment and placebo. The marginal effect, which might be demonstrated by a larger study, is too small to justify this expensive modality of treatment.