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patch testing
Indications:
- investigation of type IV hypersensitivity reactions leading to contact dermatitis
Procedure:
- tests are read at 96 hours.
Clinical significance:
- patch testing is distinguished from allergen skin testing (immediate wheal or flare reaction of allergen-specific IgE) used for assessment of respiratory allergies to pollens & molds.
- most molecules that cause type IV hypersenstivity reactions are small organic molecules which can penetrate skin barriers
- responses involve haptenation of endogenous dermal proteins & elicitation of an immunological response.
- in addition to small organic molecules, the house dust mite can also cause a type IV hypersensitivity (as well as allergen- specific IgE response).
Related
contact dermatitis (exogenous eczema)
Specific
photopatch testing
General
skin testing
References
- Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed)
Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 11
- Zug KA, Warshaw EM, Fowler JF Jr et al
Patch-test results of the North American Contact Dermatitis
Group 2005-2006.
Dermatitis. 2009 May-Jun;20(3):149-60.
PMID: 19470301