Reaction profile in patch testing with allergens formed during vulcanization of rubber

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Vulcanization significantly alters the allergenic profile of rubber materials.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for managing contact allergies related to rubber products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the contact allergic reactivity to specific compounds found in vulcanized rubber.
• To identify reliable biomarkers for rubber accelerator sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Patch testing 24 patients with known rubber accelerator allergies.
• Utilizing 21 compounds derived from chemical analyses of vulcanized rubber.
• Excluding diphenylguanidine, p-phenylenediamine antioxidants, and thioureas from the tested compounds.

Main Results:

• Thiuram monosulfides elicited stronger reactions than corresponding disulfides, indicating greater sensitivity.
• Dithiocarbamate sensitivity often correlated with thiuram sensitivity.
• Dialkylthiocarbamyl benzothiazole sulfides showed strong reactions in patients sensitive to thiurams, dithiocarbamates, or mercaptobenzothiazoles.

Conclusions:

• Thiuram monosulfides are superior indicators of thiuram sensitivity compared to disulfides or dithiocarbamates.
• Dialkylthiocarbamyl benzothiazole sulfides serve as effective markers for sensitivity to both thiurams and mercaptobenzothiazoles.
• Further research is needed to validate these findings in a larger cohort.