The Importance of Including Thimerosal, an Increasingly Frequent Allergen in Europe, in Standard Screening Series for Allergic Contact Dermatitis

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Abstract
The incidence of positive patch tests with 0.1% thimerosal increased from 12.9% in late 1988 to 21.5% in early 1990 in our test population, with a marked preponderance of young-age classes. From these patch test-positive patients, 69% also reacted to 0.05% thimerosal, 22% to thiosalicylic acid, and only 10% to mercury. The increasing incidence coincides with a statewide immunization program, using a thimerosalcontaining vaccine. However, patch test positivity does not necessarily prospectively predict intolerance to such a vaccine, but precautions are mandatory. The high sensitizing capacity of thimerosal makes the inclusion of this substance in the standard screening series for allergic contact dermatitis seem important and the replacement of thimerosal in vaccines by other antibacterial agents desirable.

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