DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2023.v09i04.015

Pages: 304-308

Contact dermatitis is a frequent reason for consultation in dermatology. In recurrent and erythrodermic forms, patch testing in search of an allergenic substance is necessary. The aim of this study is to describe the preliminary results of patch testing using the standard European battery at the Dermatology Hospital of Bamako. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Dermatology Hospital of Bamako over a period of two years. All patients screened for recurrent or extensive eczema were included. The patch tests performed were those of the standard European battery. After application of the allergens, the tests were read at 48 and 72 hours. During the study 5777 cases of eczema were detected , 29 patients presenting a recurrent and/or extensive form were tested, of which 28 patients had a positive test at 72 hours (96%): 17/29 males (56%) and 12/25 females, i.e. a sex ratio of 1.42. The mean age of the patients was 39 years (range 7-72 years). With the exception of 1 patient, all patients were poly-sensitized: 9 patients reacted to 2 allergens, 9 others to three allergens and 6 to at least 5 allergens. Potassium dichromate was found 12 times, paraphenylene diamine 7 times, nickel 5 times and finally epoxy resin and fragrance mix 3 times each. In Africa, in the absence of suitable test batteries, the standard European battery was used. The positivity rates observed in our series are higher than those reported in other African populations. Although the detection of an allergen alone is not sufficient to explain a clinical picture, it is possible that the poly-sensitization observed in our cases could be one of the consequences of exposure to several allergens. In addition, it would have been interesting to explore the role of phytotherapy in the clinical pictures observed in our cases.