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Biomedical subjects

K Kaaber

Publications and source records attributed to K Kaaber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Epoxy in occupational environment--an old acquaintance in a new dress].

This article describes a cluster of epoxy related contact dermatitis in a glassfibre reinforcement plant, using mostly preimpregnated epoxylaminate (Pre-Preg), but also fluid epoxy-products. An occupational medical and dermatological examination revealed nine of 26 cases as allergic contact eczema, 14 as toxic epoxyrelated eczema and three cases of other non-occupationally related skin diseases. The plant uses seven different epoxyresins with 15 epoxyhardeners. Preventive measures were gradually improved, but even then it was difficult to rule the production into safe procedures with this potent allergen used in large scale production of windmill wings.

Denmark↗

Changes in the pattern of sensitization to common contact allergens in denmark between 1985-86 and 1997-98, with a special view to the effect of preventive strategies.

The objective of the present study is to describe any changes in the prevalence of sensitization to common contact allergens in patch-tested patients over a 12-year period. Attention is given to possible effects of preventive strategies introduced in Denmark regarding nickel and chromate sensitization during that period, and particular areas of concern are identified. Members of the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group collected patch-test results from consecutive eczema patients as well as information about exposures and demographic variables over a 6-month period in 1985-86. The investigation was repeated in 1997-98 in the same clinics, at the same time of year, using identical methods and patch-test substances, including nickel sulphate 5%, potassium dichromate 0.5% and fragrance mix 8%. Nickel was the most common contact allergen in both study periods, followed by the fragrance mix. In children 0-18 years of age, the frequency of nickel allergy decreased from 24.8% in the first study period to 9.2% in the second study period (P < 0. 0008). Fragrance mix allergy doubled in frequency from 4.1% in 1985-86 to 9.9% in 1997-98, an increase that affected all age groups. Contact allergy to potassium dichromate decreased significantly from 3.0% in the first period to 1.2% in the second period (P = 0. 001). The decrease was seen in both sexes and was most pronounced among those of working age. No other significant changes were found in the frequency of sensitization to common allergens over the 12-year observation period.

Adolescent↗

[Aluminum allergy caused by DTP vaccine].

All children referred to two private dermatological practices from 1 Jan. 1985 to 31 Dec. 1990 who had pruritus and subcutaneous infiltrates in the areas of immunization with Di-Te-Pol vaccine were patch tested with a Finn Chamber or with 2% aqueous aluminium chloride. Di-Te-Pol vaccine contains aluminium hydroxide. Contact allergy to aluminium was demonstrated in 32 children (20 girls and 12 boys). Of the three patch test methods used, testing with 2% AlCl3 occluded with a Finn Chamber proved to be the most sensitive. Immunization of children who have been shown to be allergic to aluminium should be carried out with vaccines which do not contain aluminium.

Aluminum↗

Vaccination granulomas and aluminium allergy: course and prognostic factors.

21 children who had cutaneous granulomas following immunization with a vaccine containing aluminium hydroxide, and who had positive patch tests to aqueous aluminium chloride and/or to a Finn Chamber, were followed for 1 to 8 years. During the period of observation, the symptoms cleared in 5 children, improved in 11, and remained unchanged in 5. The course of the granulomas could not be correlated with sex or atopy, nor with intensity of the initial aluminium patch test. 4 children were patch tested again with aluminium.

Adolescent↗

[Reactions after MMR vaccination].

Four months after introducing routine vaccination against measles, mumps and German measles (MMR-vaccination) in Denmark, a questionnaire study of reactions in vaccinated children was carried out. There were significantly fewer reactions in children who had previously developed immunity to measles, either by having had the disease or by vaccination. The reaction frequency after MMR-vaccination of children immune to measles was no greater than that after other vaccinations. Moreover, for all vaccinations, the frequency of reaction was found to decrease significantly with increasing age. The study suggests that a large proportion of the so-called reactions were not caused by vaccination, but were due to common viral infections occurring at random and concurrently with it. The reactions that arose in connection with MMR-vaccination are considered to be of minor importance when compared with often prolonged and more severe course of these diseases.

Adolescent↗

[Knowledge of, attitudes toward and participation in the new vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella during the first 2 years].

The new vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) for children and the new vaccination for rubella for adult women were introduced in Denmark on 1.1.1987. An account is presented of 1) knowledge about and attitudes to the new vaccinations, investigated three months after commencement of the programme as assessed by means of a marketing investigation and 2) participation in vaccination during the first two years after introduction of the vaccination programme assessed by registration of services in the Danish National Health Service. The calculated participation in the MMR vaccination programme at the age of 15 months was found to be 72% and 31% at the age of 12 years. The calculated participation in the rubella vaccination programme at the age of 18 years was 13% in 1988 and even less for the remaining women. 95% of persons with children aged 0-12 years in the household who were questioned had heard about the new vaccinations for children and more than 50% had detailed knowledge about MMR vaccination. More than 10% were against MMR vaccination mainly because they considered that it was better for children to have these infections naturally. 90% of the women questioned knew why adult women were offered vaccination for rubella, although the percentage was less in the younger women. Compared with the goals established, participation in the MMR vaccination programme is insufficient. Participation in the rubella vaccination programme for adult women is entirely inadequate. The reasons for defective participation and proposed improvements are discussed. It is important that general practitioners and health nurses instruct parents about these possibilities.

Attitude to Health↗

Clinical patch test data evaluated by multivariate analysis. Danish Contact Dermatitis Group.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of individual explanatory factors, such as sex, age, atopy, test time and presence of diseased skin, on clinical patch test results, by application of multivariate statistical analysis. The study population was 2166 consecutive patients patch tested with the standard series of the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) by members of the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group (DCDG) over a period of 6 months. For the 8 test allergens most often found positive (nickel, fragrance-mix, cobalt, chromate, balsam of Peru, carba-mix, colophony, and formaldehyde), one or more individual factors were of significance for the risk of being sensitized, except for chromate and formaldehyde. It is concluded that patch test results can be compared only after stratification of the material or by multivariate analysis.

Adolescent↗

Tin: an overlooked contact sensitizer?

Patch tests with metallic tin in 73 nickel-sensitive patients revealed 6 positive allergic reactions. Only 4 doubtful reactions were seen, which makes irritancy unlikely. The relevance and clinical significance of the unexpected finding deserves further evaluation.

Adult↗

Elbow eruptions in nickel and chromate dermatitis.

In 7 patients with nickel or chromate allergy and dyshidrotic hand eczema, we observed symmetric hyperkeratotic lesions on the elbows which ran a similar course to the hand dermatitis. Histopathological examinations show findings suggestive of lichen simplex chronicus and subacute-chronic dermatitis, but exclude psoriasis. We conclude that these elbow lesions are a characteristic of systemic allergic contact dermatitis.

Adult↗

Treatment of nickel dermatitis with Antabuse; a double blind study.

A double blind, placebo-controlled treatment with Antabuse was carried out in 24 patients with hand eczema and nickel allergy. The amount of Antabuse given was gradually increased from 50 to 200 mg daily. The maximum dose was given for 6 weeks. During the treatment period, the dermatitis of 5 out of 11 patients in the group treated with Antabuse healed, compared with 2 out of 13 in the group receiving the placebo. A statistical analysis was made of changes observed during the study, through the parameters: scaling, frequency of flares, erythema, area involved and number of vesicles. Differences in results obtained with Antabuse and the placebo were statistically significant only for the parameters scaling and frequency of flares (p less than 0.05). The difference between the sums of parameters following the 2 forms of treatment was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). 2 patients treated with Antabuse showed signs of hepatic toxicity; 1 of them had toxic hepatitis. No other significant side effects were seen.

Adult↗

Exposure of nickel and the relevance of nickel sensitivity among hospital cleaners.

The nickel content of water specimens from consecutive stages during the cleaning process in a Danish hospital was analyzed. Statistically significant increases of the nickel concentrations were found from step to step of the cleaning, eventually exceeding the theoretical sensitizing safety limit. The relevance of the findings in relation to hand eczema is discussed.

Dermatitis, Contact↗

Antabuse treatment of nickel dermatitis. Chelation--a new principle in the treatment of nickel dermatitis.

Eleven nickel-hypersensitive patients with chronic, dyshidrotic hand eczema aggravated by oral challenge with 0.6-2.5 mg nickel were treated with 100 mg tetraethylthiuramdisulfide (Antabuse) two to four times daily for 4-10 weeks. Nine of the patients experienced a flare of the dermatitis shortly after initiation of the treatment. During the course of treatment the dermatitis of seven patients cleared, improvement was seen in two patients, and in two the dermatitis remained unchanged. Flare was seen in six patients when the treatment was discontinued. Seven patients experienced side effects such as fatigue, headache and dizziness. The treatment of four patients was discontinued due to side effects. During the treatment high levels of nickel were found in the serum and urine.

Allergens↗