Severely compromised supply of patch test allergens in Europe hampers adequate diagnosis of occupational and non‐occupational contact allergy. A European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) task forces ‘Contact Dermatitis’ and ‘Occupational Skin Disease’ position paper

• DOI: 10.1111/cod.14580
• Publication Date: 2024-05-30T05:57:52Z
• Authors: Swen Malte John; Andreas Bonertz; Julia Zimmer; Olivier Aerts; Andrea Bauer; Maria Bova; Richard Brans; Stefano Del Giacco; Heinrich Dickel; Monica Corazza; Marie‐Noëlle Crépy; Rosella Gallo; Jose Luis Garcia‐...; Ana Maria Giménez...; Ludger Klimek; Jean‐Pierre Lepoi...; Suzana Ljubojević...; Mihaly Matura; Charlotte Gotthar...; Esen Özkaya; Maria Pesonen; Nadia Raison‐Peyron; Thomas Rustemeyer; Christoph Skudlik; Radoslaw Spiewak; Luca Stingeni; Sari Suomela; Cara Symanzik; James Taylor; Maria Torres; Wolfgang Uter; Ian White; Mark Wilkinson; Vera Mahler; Jeanne Duus Johansen
• Keywords: Advisory Committees; Patch Tests/methods; skin test allergens; Dermatitis; allergen provocation test; Type IV allergy; marketing authorisation; Allergens/adverse effects; Europe; Occupational/diagnosis; Allergic Contact/diagnosis; Medical; European Pharmacopoeia; Humans; regulatory framework; Human medicine; Societies; patch test

AbstractPatch testing is the only clinically applicable diagnostic method for Type IV allergy. The availability of Type IV patch test (PT) allergens in Europe, however, is currently scarce. This severely compromises adequate diagnostics of contact allergy, leading to serious consequences for the affected patients. Against this background, the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) has created a task force (TF) (i) to explore the current availability of PT substances in different member states, (ii) to highlight some of the unique characteristics of Type IV vs. other allergens and (iii) to suggest ways forward to promote and ensure availability of high‐quality patch testing substances for the diagnosis of Type IV allergies throughout Europe. The suggestions of the TF on how to improve the availability of PT allergens are supported by the ESCD, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and intend to provide potential means to resolve the present medical crisis.