Patch testing of mercaptobenzothiazole and mercapto mix: the North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 1994-2016 Journal Article uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • OBJECTIVES: Mercapto compounds are a category of rubber accelerators that may cause allergic contact dermatitis. This study characterizes patch test reactions to mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and mercapto mix (MM) in a large North American population. METHODS: The 1994-2016 North American Contact Dermatitis Group screening series data were analyzed. Patients with allergic reactions to either MBT or MM (mercapto+) were included. The following characteristics were analyzed: strength of reaction, clinical and occupational relevance, coreactivity with other rubber accelerators, and sources of exposure. RESULTS: A total of 49,795 patients were tested to mercapto compounds from 1994 to 2016; 633 (1.3%) had positive reactions to MBT and/or MM. The frequency to both MBT and MM significantly decreased over time (P < 0.0001). Mercapto+ patients were significantly more likely to be male, have occupationally related skin disease, and report involvement of the hands and/or feet (P < 0.0001). They were significantly less likely to have face, scalp/ears/neck, or trunk involvement (P ≤ 0.0001). There was significant coreactivity with carba mix (23.4%) and thiuram mix (32.5%). Mercaptobenzothiazole and MM reactions were frequently clinically (81.7% and 83.5%, respectively) and occupationally relevant (29.8% and 33.4%, respectively). Gloves were the most common source (31.3% and 30.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patch test positivity to mercapto compounds significantly decreased from 1994 to 2016 but remains clinically and occupationally relevant.

  • Link to Article
    publication date
  • 2021
  • published in
  • Dermatitis  Journal
  • Research
    keywords
  • Adverse Effects
  • Dermatitis
  • Skin Diseases
  • Additional Document Info
    volume
  • 32
  • issue
  • 4