HLA dependence of sensitivity to nickel and chromium

A group of patients with cutaneous sensitivity was compared with another group with cement dermatitis who showed sensitivity to chromate. HLA typing for A and B locus antigens demonstrated a 29% incidence of B21 in the nickel sensitive group (control population 4.9%) and the antigen was not found in 16 patients with chromium sensitivity. It is suggested that this may represent a hapten specific HLA dependent immune response in man.