Comparison of IgG against plastic resin in workers with and without chemical dermatitis

BACKGROUND: There are many chemical sensitizers which cause allergy in the surrounding environment. However, the identification of substances causing allergy is difficult. We developed a new method to detect IgG which reacts against many kinds of chemical-human serum albumin (HSA) adducts at the same time. In this study, the diagnostic significance of the IgG was studied among workers of a company where a mass outbreak of chemical dermatitis had occurred after changing a plastic resin to a new one. METHODS: Eleven workers who handled the new plastic resin and suffered from dermatitis (case) and 9 workers who also handled the same resin in the same company but were free from dermatitis (control) were the subjects. Immunological dot blotting was carried out to detect serum IgG using originally prepared diagnostic antigens, comprising a mixture of HSA and the plastic resin or its components under various conditions. RESULTS: IgG against the plastic resin in use was detected in all workers who suffered from dermatitis. The prevalence of the IgG against the plastic resin was significantly higher in workers with than in those without dermatitis. On the other hand, IgG against its components (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, m-xylylenediamine and butyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether) was detected in a few workers with dermatitis. DISCUSSION: This suggests that IgG against chemical-HSA adduct reflects not only exposure but also causative chemicals of dermatitis. Our method to use a material itself as a hapten is practical and useful in the occupational field. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that IgG against chemicals is a useful marker of chemicals inducing dermatitis. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2302-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.