Can pre-employment patch testing help to prevent occupational contact allergy?
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Updated: Nov 3, 2026

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation
Published on: March 24, 2023
1Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Abstract:
175 subjects (157 female, 18 male) were patch tested with a standard series of allergens (Epipharm Allergy Service, GmbH, Linz, Austria), during pre-employment examinations in the pharmaceutical industry, considered an industry at risk for the development of contact sensitization. None of those examined had contact dermatitis prior to testing and none gave a positive history of hand ecczema. Patch testing was positive in 12 (7%) subjects, of whom 7 showed a positive reaction to only 1 contact allergen and 5 reacted to several contact allergens. 5 subjects (2.9%) reacted positively to metal salts (nickel, cobalt, chromium), 5 (2.9%) had a positive skin reaction to mixtures of rubber additives, and the remaining 2 to other allergens.
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