Comparative study of IQ-ultra and Finn Chambers test methodologies in detecting 10 common standard allergens that cause allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

Patch testing is routinely used in contact dermatitis clinics because it is the gold standard for the evaluation of potential allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

The study was undertaken to evaluate possible differences in reactivity between the Finn Chamber and IQ-Ultra patch-testing methodologies.

METHODS

Patients were patch-tested simultaneously with the Finn Chamber and IQ-Ultra patch tests. Ten standard allergens set by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group were used for both techniques.

RESULTS

Both patch tests had a significant agreement in detecting all of the allergens. An "almost perfect agreement" was noted for ethylenediamine dihydrochloride, quaternium-15, mercapto mix, black rubber mix, balsam of Peru, and nickel sulfate; "substantial agreement" for formaldehyde, bisphenol A epoxy resin, and 4-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin; and "moderate agreement" for potassium dichromate.

CONCLUSION

The Finn Chamber and IQ-Ultra patch tests had a good agreement in the detection of the 10 standard allergens that were tested.