Patch-testing with serial dilutions of tixocortol pivalate and potential cross-reactive substances

Of patch-tested patients with dermatitis, 4-5% are allergic to corticosteroids. Four groups of corticosteroids are recognized (A-D), where substances from the same group may cross-react. We investigated the potential cross-reactivity pattern and dose-response relationship for several corticosteroids from group A. We also included the corresponding aldehyde to hydrocortisone, as this degradation product has been proposed to be immunogenic. Eleven patients shown to be allergic to tixocortol pivalate were patch-tested with several corticosteroids from group A, as well as with the aldehyde, all in serial dilutions. All 11 reacted to both tixocortol pivalate and hydrocortisone. The dose-response relationship for the corticosteroids tended to be similar to sensitizers lacking anti-inflammatory potential. Patients with simultaneous reactions to many substances had high patch-test reactivity to tixocortol pivalate and hydrocortisone, while patients with few such reactions showed low reactivity (p=0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Several patients reacted to the aldehyde, supporting the theory that it is an intermediate in sensitization.