The incidence of mercury sensitivity in millitary personnel without contact dermatitis was investigated using the patch test with 1% ammoniated mercury and 0.1% thimerosal. A questionaire study relating to mercury exposure was also performed in
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subjectss, We also investigated whether the several vaccines curently in use in Korea contain mercury products.
@ES The results were as follows :
@EN 1. Ammoniated mercury sensitivity was in 10.8% and thimerosal sensitivity was 6.1% in all tested subjects ; a similar percentage observed in patch test clinic of the authors.
2. Vaccination history was statistically related significantly, to the senstivity to mercury allergens (P<0.05).
3. All subjects sensitized to thimerosal were also allergic to ammoniated mercury, suggesting cross-sensitivity.
4. Hepavax-B, D. P. T., Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and fluvax, currently in use in Korea, contain thimerosal as a preservative. (Kor J Dermatol 1992 ; 30 (3) : 347-353)
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