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Related Experiment Videos

Sensitization to thimerosal (Merthiolate) is still present today

A J van 't Veen1, T van Joost

  • 1Department of Dermatovenerology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Academic Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, The Netherlands.

Contact Dermatitis
|November 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Thimerosal (Merthiolate) hypersensitivity is uncommon, with a low incidence of positive patch tests in patients with suspected contact allergies. Many positive reactions to thimerosal may not cause clinical symptoms.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Allergology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Thimerosal (Merthiolate) is a mercury-containing preservative used in vaccines and other products.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions to thimerosal can occur, leading to contact dermatitis.
  • Understanding the prevalence and clinical relevance of thimerosal sensitization is important for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the incidence of thimerosal hypersensitivity in adult patients with suspected contact allergy.
  • To assess the clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions to thimerosal.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patch test data from 2461 adult patients examined between 1987 and 1992.
  • Inclusion of relevant literature data on thimerosal hypersensitivity up to 1993.

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  • Evaluation of positive patch test reactions to thimerosal (0.1% pet.) and associated clinical symptoms.

    • Main Results:

    • A low incidence of positive patch tests to thimerosal was observed (1.3% of patients).
    • Solitary positive patch tests to thimerosal occurred in 0.8% of patients.
    • Clinical symptoms related to thimerosal hypersensitivity were infrequent, observed in only 3 patients.

    Conclusions:

    • Thimerosal hypersensitivity, as indicated by positive patch tests, appears to be uncommon in the studied population.
    • A positive patch test reaction to thimerosal is frequently clinically irrelevant, suggesting caution in diagnosing thimerosal allergy based solely on patch testing.