Tapio Rantanen

The European baseline series in 10 European Countries, 2005/2006 : results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA)

Background: Continual surveillance based on patch test results has proved useful for the identification of contact allergy.

Current patch test results with the European baseline series and extensions to it from the 'European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy' network, 2007-2008

Background. The pattern of contact sensitization to the supposedly most important allergens assembled in the baseline series differs between countries, presumably at least partly because of exposure differences.

Patch test reactions to cosmetic allergens in 1995–1997 and 2000–2002 in Finland – a multicentre study

Contact sensitivity to cosmetics is common, but the sensitizing chemicals vary between countries and study periods. The present survey aimed at revealing the recent trends in patch test sensitivity with cosmetic chemicals in Finland. We report a retrospective multicentre survey of patch test reactions focusing on cosmetic‐related substances and comparing the test results in 1995–97 with those in 2000–02. The most striking increases in the frequency of the patch test sensitivity were found with balsam of Peru and propolis from 4.0% to 6.2% (P < 0.001) and from 0.5% to 1.4% (P < 0.001), respectively, whereas the most prominent decreases were found with methylchloro/methylisothiazolinone and chlorhexidine diglugonate from 2.4% to 1.3% (P < 0.001) and from 1.2% to 0.5% (P < 0.001), respectively. The level of patch test sensitivity to methyldibromo glutaronitrile increased, although not significantly, from 1.0% to 1.5%. An increasing tendency was also found with hair dye chemicals 4‐aminophenol and toluene‐2,5‐diamine or toluene‐2,5‐diamine sulfate from 1.3% to 3.8% and from 1.4% to 5.2%, respectively, while such a tendency was not found among permanent wave chemicals. The sensitivity level of fragrance mix remained the same (6% − 7%). We conclude that surveys revealing the state of sensitivity to cosmetic chemicals should be performed periodically in different countries.

Contact sensitization to methylisothiazolinone in Finland--a multicentre study.

Background. Antimicrobials constitute the second most common cause of contact allergy to cosmetics. Methylisothiazolinone (MI), previously always used together with methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), has recently been approved in the EU for use on its own in cosmetics and also various industrial products. MCI has been classified as an extreme–strong and MI as a strong–moderate sensitizer.

An epidemic of contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone in Finland

Kaija Lammintausta1, Kristiina Aalto-Korte2, Leena Ackerman3, Kristiina Alanko3, Päivikki Berry4, Taina Hasan5, Renata Kaminska6, Laura Korhonen5, Arja Laukkanen7, Jussi Liippo1, Maria Pesonen2, Tapio Rantanen8, Riita Riekki9 and Katri Suuronen2 1Department of Dermatology, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland, 2Department of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Control of Hypersensitivity Diseases, 00250 Helsinki, Finland, 3Department of Dermatology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, 00290 Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, 4Department of Dermatology, Allergy Centre, North Carelia Central Hospital, 80210, Joensuu, Finland, 5Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, 33521 Tampere, Finland, 6Department of Dermatology, Central Hospital of Keski-Pohjanmaa, 67200 Kokkola, UK, 7Department of Dermatology, Kuopio Unievrsity Hospital, 70211 Kuopio, Finland, 8Department of Dermatology, Central Hospital, Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care Group, 15850 Lahti, Finland, and 9Department of Dermatology, Oulu University Hospital, 90029 Helsinki, Finland

Sensitization to thiourea derivatives among Finnish patients with suspected contact dermatitis

Background: Thiourea derivatives in rubber products may induce contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis. Sensitization is most often from neoprene rubber, but the multitude of possible sensitizing products has remained poorly characterized.

Cryptococcosis during systemic glucocorticosteroid treatment.

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection caused by a fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans. It is usually seen in immunocompromised patients with AIDS, leukaemia, lymphoma, sarcoidosis or immunosuppressive treatments. We describe a patient who was treated with systemic glucocorticosteroids for 4 years because of lung sarcoidosis. During the last year of treatment, a papular eruption developed which later became ulcerative. In a histopathological examination of a skin biopsy, there was granulomatous inflammation, and the disease was treated as sarcoidosis without success. After 1 year’s unsuccessful treatment, another skin biopsy and skin fungal culture revealed C. neoformans. Cryptococcal antigen was found in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, too. The patient was successfully treated first with an amphotericin-B-flucytosine combination and later with fluconazole.