European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009-2014.

BACKGROUND: Polysensitization, defined as being allergic to three or more haptens from the European baseline series, is considered to reflect increased susceptibility to developing a contact allergy, and is likely to be associated with an impaired quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalences of polysensitization across Europe and to analyse factors associated with polysensitization. METHODS: Patch test data collected by the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA; www.essca-dc.org) in consecutively patch tested patients from January 2009 to December 2014, comprising 11 countries and 57 departments, were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: A total of 86 416 patients were available for analysis, showing a standardized prevalence of polysensitization of 7.02%, ranging from 12.7% (Austria) to 4.6% (Italy). Allergen pairs with the strongest association are reported for the total population, for South Europe, and for North/Central Europe. Overall, polysensitized patients showed a higher percentage of extreme (+++) positive patch test reactions than oligosensitized patients. Female sex, occupational dermatitis and age > 40 years were risk factors for polysensitization. CONCLUSIONS: The varying prevalences of polysensitization across Europe most likely reflect differences in patient characteristics and referral patterns between departments. Known risk factors for polysensitization are confirmed in a European dermatitis population.

Annually recurring erythema annulare centrifugum: a distinct entity?

Four patients presenting a peculiar clinical variant of erythema annulare centrifugum are reported. The lesions were clinically and histopathologically indistinguishable from classic superficial erythema annulare centrifugum but constant annual and seasonal recurrences for many years or decades were observed. No clear precipitating factor could be identified. No associated symptoms were present and the eruption regressed spontaneously after a variable period of days to months. Annually recurring erythema annulare centrifugum seems to represent a rare distinct clinical entity that has received little attention in literature. Clinicopathologic features of this peculiar clinical disorder and the differential diagnosis with other recurrent seasonal eruptions are reviewed.