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Assessment for Metal Allergy: In Vitro Assays

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Metal Allergy

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Abstract

Cutaneous exposure to metal salts may result in sensitization to metals and lead to allergic contact dermatitis. To date, patch testing is the method of choice for diagnosing metal allergy in a clinical setting. However, this method has its limitations, such as boosting of existing sensitization, activating sensitization by testing, or interobserver variability. Therefore, a reliable alternative method for routine diagnosis would be of significant use. Possible alternatives to patch testing are in vitro proliferation assays, such as the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). LTT is used to establish in vitro whether a patient has developed a T-cell response against a certain metal and is mainly used in an experimental setting. This chapter aims to determine the validity of LTT for routine metal allergy diagnosis based on available peer-reviewed medical literature. Due to the limited number of published articles concerning sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of LTT for the diagnosis of metal allergies, it is impossible to draw firm conclusions regarding the validity of in vitro tests. Nevertheless, this chapter will provide an overview on the available scientific data and, by pin-pointing the current needs, suggest new approaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081, HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Thomas Rustemeyer

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  1. Thomas Rustemeyer
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Correspondence to Thomas Rustemeyer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, CA, USA

    Jennifer K Chen

  2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy Herlev and Gentofte Hospital University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jacob P. Thyssen

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Rustemeyer, T. (2018). Assessment for Metal Allergy: In Vitro Assays. In: Chen, J., Thyssen, J. (eds) Metal Allergy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58503-1_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58503-1_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-58503-1

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