[Pathogenetic role of nickel in human organism]

The ever increasing presence of nickel in nature and human food has made it the subject of growing interest of research workers in various medical discipline. Its allergizing, toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic causes justified concern of those who use it in orthopaedics and stomatology. The frequency of contact allergy to nickel has called attention to its use in production of many daily utility objects. The probability of allergy is not limited only to persons with occupational exposure to this element but it becomes ever more widespread in the whole population. The role of nickel in contact allergy is well known, and a particular feature of this allergy is the character of allergens which are simple haptens with respect to their antigenic. More detailed data on the mechanism of contact allergy have been provided by the discovery of Langerhans cells which have the ability of antigen presentation. Considering the role of nickel in pathological conditions we must not forget its great physiological importance as a microelement necessary for life.