T.R.U.E. TEST
(thin-layer rapid use epicutaneous patch test) for Topical Use Only
DESCRIPTION
Thin-layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous Patch Test, T.R.U.E.
TEST, is a ready-to-use allergen patch test system consisting of 35 allergen
and allergen mix patches, containing 58 allergenic substances, and a negative
control.
Each test consists of the following:
Panel - The panel consists of three pieces of
surgical tape (5.2 Ã 13.0 cm), each with 12 polyester patches of approximately
0.81 cm². Each patch is coated with a film containing a uniformly dispersed specific
allergen or allergen mix. The negative control, located on Panel 1.3, is an
uncoated polyester patch.
Tape - The panel tape is composed of polyester. The
adhesive used in the panels is acrylate-based. There is no natural rubber
latex, rubber components, balsams or rosins in the adhesive or tape. Acrylate adhesives
are processed to remove free monomers that may be allergenic.
Foil Pouch - Each test panel is covered by a
protective sheet and sealed in a pouch of laminated foil.
Desiccant - A desiccant is included in the foil
pouch of Panel 2.3 for stability purposes.
Inactive Ingredients - The allergens are
homogenized in one or more of the following materials to produce the allergen
films that coat the patches: hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), povidone (PVP), povidone
with butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), povidone with
sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate (PSBSC), and hydroxypropylcellulose
with β-cyclodextrin (HPCβ).
The individual components of T.R.U.E. TEST Panels 1.3,
2.3, and 3.3 are listed below along with a quantitative description of each
patch formulation. Panel 1.3 contains 11 allergens or allergen mixes and a
negative control, Panel 2.3 contains 12 allergens or allergen mixes, and Panel
3.3 contains 12 allergens or allergen mixes.
Allergens On Panel 1.3
Nickel Sulfate (Position 1)
Nickel sulfate hexahydrate (purity ≥98.5%) is used
to formulate this patch. The active allergenic component is nickel. The gel
vehicle is hydroxypropyl cellulose. The product is formulated to contain 200
mcg/cm² of nickel sulfate hexahydrate, which corresponds to 36 mcg of nickel
per patch. Nickel is one of the most common metals in the environment and is
found in most metal and metal-plated objects.
Wool Alcohols (Lanolin) (Position 2)
Wool alcohols, USP are a natural product obtained from
the fleece of sheep. This allergen is a highly complex mixture of alcohols
containing cholesterol, lanosterol, agnosterol, and their dihydro derivatives
as well as straight and branched chain aliphatic alcohols. The active
allergenic component has not been identified. The gel vehicle is povidone. The
product is formulated to contain 1000 mcg/cm² of wool alcohols, which
corresponds to 810 mcg of wool alcohols per patch. Wool alcohols are a common
constituent of many ointments, creams, lotions, and soaps.
Neomycin Sulfate (Position 3)
Neomycin sulfate, USP an antibiotic drug substance, is
used to formulate this patch. The gel vehicle is povidone. The product is
formulated to contain 600 mcg/cm² of neomycin sulfate, which corresponds to 486
mcg of neomycin sulfate per patch. Neomycin is a common antibiotic found in
topical antibiotic creams, lotions, ointments, eye drops, and ear drops.
Potassium Dichromate (Position 4)
Potassium dichromate (purity ≥98.5%) is used to
formulate this patch. The active allergenic component is chromium. The gel
vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 54 mcg/cm² of potassium
dichromate, which corresponds to 15.7 mcg of chromium per patch. Chromium is
found in cement, as well as in many industrial chemicals.
Caine Mix (Position 5)
Caine mix is composed of three drug substances:
benzocaine, USP (purity ≥98.0); tetracaine hydrochloride, USP (purity
≥98.5); and dibucaine hydrochloride, USP (purity ≥97.0). The gel
vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 630 mcg/cm² of caine
mix, which corresponds to 510 mcg of caine mix per patch (378 mcg of
benzocaine, 66 mcg of tetracaine, and 66 mcg of dibucaine). Benzocaine,
tetracaine, and dibucaine are found in many topical anesthetic medications.
Fragrance Mix (Position 6)
Fragrance mix is composed of eight substances: geraniol
(purity ≥95%, identity of impurities unknown); cinnamaldehyde (purity
≥95%, contains trace amounts of cinnamyl alcohol); hydroxycitronellal
(purity ≥95%, identity of impurities unknown); cinnamyl alcohol (purity
≥95%, identity of impurities unknown); eugenol, USP (purity ≥95%,
identity of impurities unknown); isoeugenol (purity ≥88%, identity of impurities
unknown); α-amylcinnamaldehyde (purity ≥90%, identity of impurities
unknown); and oak moss. Oak moss, a dark green sticky paste, is a solvent
extract of the lichen Evernia prunastri. The chemical composition is very
complex. The acid fraction (95% of the extracted material) is made up of depsides
including atranorin, evernic acid, usnic acid, chloratranorin, and degradation
products of these depsides. Atranorin is suspected as a prime allergenic
component, and its peak (measured with gas chromatography) is used to determine
the amount of oak moss in the fragrance mix patch. The gel vehicles used in
this patch are povidone and β-cyclodextrin. The product is formulated to
contain 500 mcg/cm² of fragrance mix, which corresponds to 405 mcg of fragrance
mix per patch (approximately 81 mcg of geraniol, approximately 41 mcg of
cinnamaldehyde, approximately 63 mcg of hydroxycitronellal, approximately 63
mcg of cinnamyl alcohol, approximately 41 mcg of eugenol, approximately 17 mcg
of isoeugenol, approximately 17 mcg of α-amylcinnamaldehyde, and approximately
81 mcg of oak moss). The components of fragrance mix are commonly used in
toiletries, fragrances, and flavorings.
Colophony (Position 7)
Colophony is produced from the resin of the pine trees
Pinus massoniana and Pinus tabuliformis. It is translucent, pale yellow or
brownish yellow, brittle, and glassy in appearance. Colophony consists of 75%
to 85% resin acids, 10% neutral fractions (i.e., terpenes), with the remaining
part oxidation products. Oxidation products of abietic acid and other resin
acids have been identified as the active allergenic components. The ultraviolet
absorbance measurement of one of the primary components, abietic acid, is used
to quantify colophony. The gel vehicle is povidone. BHA and BHT are added in equal
amounts of 11 mcg per patch as antioxidants. The product is formulated to
contain 1200 mcg/cm² of colophony, which corresponds to 972 mcg of colophony
per patch. Colophony is found in adhesives, sealants, and pine oil cleaners.
Paraben Mix (Position 8)
Paraben mix contains the five ester derivatives of
parahydroxybenzoic acid: methyl, USP; ethyl, USP; propyl, USP; butyl, USP; and
benzyl parahydroxybenzoate in equal parts (purity of each derivative ≥ 98.0%).
The gel vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 1000 mcg/cm²
of paraben mix, which corresponds to 810 mcg of paraben mix per patch. The
components of paraben mix can be found in cosmetics, dermatological creams, and
paste bandages.
Negative Control (Position 9)
The negative control is an uncoated polyester patch.
Balsam Of Peru (Position 10)
Balsam of peru is a resin from a South American tree,
Myroxylon balsamum pereirae. The resin consists of a mixture of fragrances and
other substances that have not all been identified. Balsam of peru patch
content is measured by gas chromatography of its two major constituents, benzyl
cinnamate and benzyl benzoate. Several components of Balsam of peru have been
identified as allergens, including cinnamic acid, benzyl alcohol, and vanillin.
The gel vehicle is povidone. This patch is formulated to contain 800 mcg/cm² of
Balsam of peru resin, which corresponds to 648 mcg of Balsam of peru resin per
patch. This resin is found in many cosmetics and perfumes and is also used as a
flavoring agent in cough syrups, lozenges, chewing gum, and candies.
Ethylenediamine Dihydrochloride (Position 11)
Ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (purity ≥98.5%) is
used to formulate this patch. The active allergenic component is
ethylenediamine. The gel vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to
contain 50 mcg/cm² of ethylenediamine dihydrochloride, which corresponds to 18
mcg of ethylenediamine per patch. Ethylenediamine is used as a stabilizer,
emulsifier, and preservative in topical fungicides, antibiotic creams, eye
drops, and nose drops.
Cobalt Dichloride (Position 12)
Cobalt dichloride hexahydrate (purity ≥98.5%) is
used to formulate this patch. The active allergenic component is cobalt. The
gel vehicle is hydroxypropyl cellulose. The product is formulated to contain 20
mcg/cm² of cobalt dichloride hexahydrate, which corresponds to 4 mcg of cobalt
per patch. Cobalt is found in metal-plated objects and costume jewelry.
Allergens On Panel 2.3
p-tert-Butylphenol Formaldehyde Resin (Position 13)
p-tert-Butylphenol formaldehyde resin (purity ≥95%)
is used to formulate this patch. The active allergenic components have been
identified as p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde and numerous other compounds. The
gel vehicle is hydroxypropyl cellulose. The product is formulated to contain 45
mcg/cm² of p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin, which corresponds to 36 mcg
of p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin per patch. This resin is found in many
waterproof glues used in the leather goods, furniture, and shoe industries.
Epoxy Resin (Position 14)
Epoxy resin, a clear viscous liquid, is used to formulate
this patch. It consists of 75% to 85% diglycidylether of bisphenol A, the
active allergenic component, which is a monomer used for the preparation of
polymer epoxy resins. The remaining part consists of the dimer and the trimer.
The gel vehicle is hydroxypropyl cellulose. This patch is formulated to contain
50 mcg/cm² of epoxy resin, which corresponds to 32 mcg of diglycidylether of
bisphenol A per patch. This resin is found in adhesives, surface coatings, and
paints.
Carba Mix (Position 15)
Carba mix contains three chemicals used to stabilize
rubber products: diphenylguanidine (purity ≥96%), zincdibutyldithiocarbamate
(purity ≥96%), and zincdiethyldithiocarbamate (purity ≥96%) in
equal parts. The gel vehicle is hydroxypropyl cellulose. The product is
formulated to contain 250 mcg/cm² of carba mix, which corresponds to 203 mcg of
carba mix per patch. These chemical stabilizers and accelerators are found in
many rubber products, pesticides, and some glues.
Black Rubber Mix (Position 16)
Black rubber mix contains the antioxidant and antiozonate
chemicals N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl paraphenylenediamine (purity ≥95%),
N-cyclohexyl-N'-phenyl paraphenylenediamine (purity ≥90%), and N,
N'-diphenyl paraphenylenediamine (purity ≥90%) in the ratio 2:5:5. The
gel vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 75 mcg/cm² of
black rubber mix, which corresponds to 61 mcg of black rubber mix per patch.
The components of black rubber mix are found in almost all black rubber products,
such as tires, handles, and hoses.
Cl+ Me- Isothiazolinone (MCI/MI) (Position 17)
Cl+ Me- Isothiazolinone is an antibacterial preservative
that consists of two active ingredients, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
(1.05% to 1.25% w/w) and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (0.25% to 0.40% w/w) in
a 3:1 ratio at a concentration of 1.5% in aqueous magnesium salts. The gel
vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 4 mcg/cm² of Cl+ Me-
iso-thiazolinone, which corresponds to 3 mcg of Cl+ Me- isothiazolinone per
patch. This preservative is found in many shampoos, creams, lotions, and other
skin care products.
Quaternium-15 (Q-15) (Position 18)
Quaternium-15,
1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7,-triaza-1-azonium-adamantane chloride (purity
≥94%), is a preservative. The gel vehicle is hydroxypropyl cellulose. The
product is formulated to contain 100 mcg/cm² of Quaternium-15, which
corresponds to 81 mcg of Quaternium-15 per patch. This preservative is found in
creams, lotions, shampoos, soaps, and other cosmetics and skin care products.
Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile (MDBGN) (Position 19)
Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile,
1,2-Dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (purity ≥95%), is a component of the preservative
Euxyl K400. The gel vehicle is povidone. The patch is formulated to contain 5
mcg/cm² of methyldibromo glutaronitrile, which corresponds to 4 mcg of
methyldibromo glutaronitrile per patch. Methyldibromo glutaronitrile is commonly
used in cosmetic and personal care products such as body creams, facial and
hand lotions, sun screens, baby lotions, shower gels, ultrasonic gel, toilet
paper, shampoos, and massage oils. It is also found in cutting oils, drilling
oils, glues, and coolants.
p-Phenylenediamine (Position 20)
p-Phenylenediamine (purity ≥97.5%), a blue-black
aniline dye, is used to formulate this patch. The gel vehicle is povidone. The
product is formulated to contain 80 mcg/cm² of p-phenylenediamine, which corresponds
to 65 mcg of p-phenylenediamine per patch. This dye is found most often in
permanent and semipermanent hair dyes.
Formaldehyde (Position 21)
Formaldehyde is released from the proallergen
N-hydroxymethyl succinimide, which is cleaved into succinimide and formaldehyde
when it comes in contact with the transepidermal water on the surface of the
skin. Formaldehyde is the active allergenic compound. The content of
formaldehyde in the proallergen is 22.1% to 24.1%. The gel vehicle is povidone
with sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. The product is formulated to
contain 180 mcg/cm² of formaldehyde, which corresponds to 146 mcg of
formaldehyde per patch. Formaldehyde is found in many building materials and
plastic industries.
Mercapto Mix (Position 22)
Mercapto mix is composed of three chemical accelerators
that are benzothiazole sulfenamide derivatives.
N-cyclohexylbenzothiazyl-sulfenamide (purity ≥85%), dibenzothiazyl
disulfide (purity ≥97%), and morpholinylmercaptobenzothiazole (purity
≥85%) are present in equal parts. The gel vehicle is povidone. The
product is formulated to contain 75 mcg/cm² of mercapto mix, which corresponds
to 61 mcg of mercapto mix per patch. This group of chemicals is found in many
rubber products, such as shoes, gloves, and elastics.
Thimerosal (Position 23)
Thimerosal, USP (purity ≥97%) is a preservative
that contains mercury. The gel vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated
to contain 7 mcg/cm² of thimerosal, which corresponds to 6 mcg of thimerosal
per patch. Thimerosal is found in some cosmetics, nose drops, eardrops, and
vaccines.
Thiuram Mix (Position 24)
Thiuram mix is composed of four substances in equal
parts: tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (purity ≥95%, contains small
amounts of tetramethylthiuram disulfide); tetramethylthiuram disulfide (purity ≥95%,
contains small amounts of tetramethylthiuram monosulfide); disulfiram, USP
(tetraethylthiuram disulfide, purity ≥98.0%); and dipentamethylenethiuram
disulfide (purity ≥95%, impurities unknown). The components of thiuram
mix can chemically interact, resulting in the formation of mixed disulfides. Thiuram
monosulfides and disulfides are the active allergens. The gel vehicle is
povidone. The product is formulated to contain 27 mcg/cm² of thiuram mix, which
corresponds to 22 mcg of thiuram mix per patch (5.5 mcg of tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide, 5.5 mcg of tetramethylthiuram disulfide, 5.5 mcg of disulfiram,
and 5.5 mcg of dipentamethylenethiuram disulfide). These antimicrobial,
accelerator, and antioxidant substances are found in many rubber products.
Allergens On Panel 3.3
Diazolidinyl Urea (DU) (Germall® II) (Position 25)
Diazolidinyl urea is a complex mixture. The gel vehicle
is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 550 mcg/cm² of diazolidinyl
urea, which corresponds to 446 mcg of diazolidinyl urea per patch. Diazolidinyl
urea is a preservative found in cosmetics.
Quinoline Mix (Position 26)
Quinoline mix is composed of two chemical germicides.
Clioquinol, USP (purity ≥93.0%) and clorquinaldol (purity ≥95%),
which are present in equal parts. The product is formulated to contain 190 mcg/cm²
of quinoline mix, which corresponds to 154 mcg of quinoline mix per patch. The
gel vehicle is povidone. Quinolines are found in paste bandages, medicated
creams, and ointments.
Tixocortol-21-Pivalate (TIX) (Position 27)
Tixocortol-21-pivalate (purity ≥95%) is a
corticosteroid. The gel vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to
contain 3 mcg/cm² of tixocortol-21-pivalate, which corresponds to 2 mcg of
tixocortol- 21-pivalate per patch. Tixocortol-21-pivalate is found in some
medical products. Patch testing with tixocortol-21-pivalate may be used to
assist in the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis due to corticosteroids
in Group A, based on the classification of topical corticosteroids by
cross-reactivity.
Gold Sodium Thiosulfate (GST) (Position 28)
Gold sodium thiosulfate (purity ≥ 90%) is a fairly
common sensitizer with elicitation of symptoms linked to gold in jewelry,
occupational exposure to gold, previous rheumatoid arthritis treatment, dental restorations,
and gold-plated intracoronary stents. The gel vehicle is hydroxypropyl
cellulose and the product is formulated to contain 75 mcg/cm² of gold sodium
thiosulfate, which corresponds to 23 mcg of gold per patch.
Imidazolidinyl Urea (IMID) (Germall® 115) (Position 29)
Imidazolidinyl urea is a complex mixture. The gel vehicle
is povidone. The product is formulated to contain 600 mcg/cm² of imidazolidinyl
urea, which corresponds to 486 mcg of imidazolidinyl urea per patch.
Imidazolidinyl urea is a preservative found in cosmetics.
Budesonide (BUD) (Position 30)
Budesonide, USP (purity ≥98.0%) is a
corticosteroid. The gel vehicle is povidone. The product is formulated to
contain 1 mcg/cm² of budesonide, which corresponds to 0.8 mcg of budesonide per
patch. Budesonide is found in topical medicinal and anti-inflammatory products.
Patch testing with budesonide may be used to assist in the diagnosis of
allergic contact dermatitis due to corticosteroids in Group B and to certain
esters in Group D, based on the classification of topical corticosteroids by
crossreactivity.
Hydrocortisone-17-Butyrate (H-17-B) (Position 31)
Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, USP (purity ≥ 97.0%) is
a mid-potent (Group D2) corticosteroid, most commonly used to treat
inflammatory skin disease and psoriasis. The gel vehicle is povidone. The product
is formulated to contain 20 mcg/cm² of hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, which
corresponds to 16 mcg of hydrocortisone-17-butyrate per patch.
Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate is found in many topical over-the-counter (OTC) and
prescription pharmaceuticals.
Mercaptobenzothiazole (Position 32)
Mercaptobenzothiazole (purity ≥98.5%) is a
vulcanization accelerator used in rubber products. The gel vehicle is povidone.
The product is formulated to contain 75 mcg/cm² of mercaptobenzothiazole, which
corresponds to 61 mcg of mercaptobenzothiazole per patch. This chemical is
found in many rubber products, some adhesives, and is used as an industrial
anticorrosive agent.
Bacitracin (Position 33)
Bacitracin, USP is an antibiotic used for postoperative
and general wound care and is considered a frequent sensitizer. The gel vehicle
is hydroxypropyl cellulose and the product is formulated to contain 600 mcg/cm²
of bacitracin which corresponds to 486 mcg of bacitracin per patch. Bacitracin
is often a first-line topical remedy for cutaneous injuries and dermatoses as
well as for many eye and ear disorders.
Parthenolide (Position 34)
Parthenolide (purity ≥ 95%) is a sesquiterpene
lactone, which occurs naturally in thousands of plants including Daisies,
Feverfew, and Magnolia. The gel vehicle is povidone and the product is
formulated to contain 3 mcg/cm² of parthenolide, which corresponds to 2 mcg of
parthenolide per patch. Allergies to parthenolide occur frequently in gardeners
and greenhouse employees, but non-occupational contact with plants and herbal
teas containing sesquiterpenes also occurs.
Disperse Blue 106 (DB106) (Position 35)
Disperse blue 106 (purity ≥ 90%) is a commonly used
thiazol-azoyl-p-phenylene diamine derivative dye used primarily in synthetic
textiles and is a significant skin sensitization hazard. The product is formulated
to contain 50 mcg/cm² of disperse blue 106, which corresponds to 41 mcg of
disperse blue 106 per patch. The gel vehicle is povidone. Together with
Disperse blue 124, it has been determined to be the primary cause of textile
dermatitis.
2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol) (Position 36)
2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (purity ≥ 95%) is
an antimicrobial agent commonly used as a preservative in many types of
cosmetics, personal care products, and topical medications. The gel vehicle is
povidone. The product is formulated to contain 250 mcg/cm² of 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-
diol, which corresponds to 203 mcg of 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol per
patch.