Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 polymorphism and susceptibility to allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphism may be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to evaluate whether acetylation polymorphism plays a role in the susceptibility to p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) sensitization.

METHODS

The frequencies of seven NAT2 point mutations, namely G191A, C282T, T341C, C481T, G590A, A803G, and G857A, and genotypes were determined by PCR/RFLP in a total of 70 patients with allergic contact dermatitis to PPD and 100 control subjects with no history of allergy, atopy, lung disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer.

RESULTS

Genotypes coding rapid acetylation were detected in 52.9% and 37.0% of patients with contact dermatitis and control subjects, respectively (P = 0.04). The frequency of the NAT2*4 allele and NAT2*4/*4 genotype, coding for rapid acetylation, were also significantly higher in the contact dermatitis patients than in the control subjects (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest an association between rapid acetylation polymorphism and susceptibility to PPD sensitization.