[Epicutaneous tests with dental materials before and during COVID-19 pandemic in the Central Hungary region].

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection raids and the successive vaccination campaigns to combat them caused deep changes in the health status and the herd immunity of a given country or even in that of certain smaller geographical region’s population. Objective: The aim of these studies was the retrospective assessment of dental allergy testing by type IV in vivo cellular immune method, the epicutaneous tests. The question was raised in respect of pandemia-induced changes. Method: The 4 years’ period before COVID–19 pandemic was compared to the 3 years of COVID–19 burden based on numerous standard test series obtained from two central Hungarian sites. 45 patients before 2020 and 45 between March 2020 and September 2023 were enrolled in Budapest (capital city). There were 48 pre-COVID–19- and 55 COVID–19-related timely tested subjects in Fejér county (Székesfehérvár) involved as well. In both centers, every attending patient’s data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation. Standard matching dentifrice-related test series (31 allergens) were used in both centers. In the North-Budapest area 11 781 test results were collected from the municipal hospital out-patient clinic of dermato-allergy and compared to 14 716 of a private clinic in Székesfehérvár. The data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation. Results: In both centers and both timely intervals, the male to female ratio was about 1 : 5. All results have revealed that within those special target cohorts higher prevalence of positive results could be obtained as compared to standard general country-specific environmental test series, published for the area. Therefore, dental series followed more sensitively the changes emerging in the course of COVID–19 infection. Moreover, the results pointed to the increase of multiple sensitivities in both centers especially regarding metal allergies. Acrylate-related sensitization had shown similar outcome of lesser degree. Discussion: Out of the two centers, the Fejér county one was more prone to COVID–19-induced morbidity and mortality. At this site in addition, formaldehyde, a known constituent of facial masks and sensitivity to Myroxylon pereirae (Peruvian balm) widely used by the people in immune-enhancing natural products, teas and flavors yielded the highest sensitivity scores. Conclusion: During the COVID–19 pandemic, there was significant elevation of cellular hypersensitivity and polysensitization to dental materials. Hitherto no similar data in the literature accessible for us could be found. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(51): 2015–2025.