Background: Majority of the hospitals in Malaysia have limited allergen series for patch testing. Since January 2011, Department of Dermatology in Selayang Hospital has extended its number of allergen series available for testing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether other series besides the European baseline series (EBS) deserve to be tested on suspected patient with contact dermatitis. Methods: Patch test results of patients visiting Dermatology clinic in Selayang Hospital from January 2001 to June 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Out of 129 patients who were patch tested, 98 (76%) patients had positive patch test, 30 (23.3%) patients had negative patch test and 1 (0.7%) patient had ‘Angry back’ reaction. The most commonly positive allergens were Nickel sulfate 45 (34.9%), Cobalt chloride 21 (16.3%), Potassium dichromate 15 (11.6%) and Balsam Peru 15 (11.6%). None of the patient had positive patch test to Mercaptobenzothiazole, Sesquiterpene lactone mix, Fragrance mix II and Lyral in the (EBS). The number of patient that will be missed if certain series are not tested were Textile Colours & Finish (TF) (n=4/7, 57.1%), Plastic & Glues (PG) (n=4/19, 21.1%), Hairdressing (n=1/5, 20%), Cosmetic (n=2/12, 16.7%), Rubber Additives (n=12/77, 15.6%), Medicament (n=1/9, 11.1%), Plant (n=0/5, 0%), Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reaction (n=0/3, 0%) and Leg Ulcer (n=0/1, 0%). Conclusion: The absence of positive patch test to Mercaptobenzothiazole, Sesquiterpene lactone mix, Fragrance mix II and Lyral does not support inclusion in the EBS in our region. Additional series especially TF and PG are important series to be tested in suspected patient.

Background Erythroderma is a serious condition in itself, quite apart from hazards associated with the underlying disease, and is sometimes fatal. Prognostic studies are rare in the literature and to date there are no published studies to identify the factors that can determine good prognosis. Objectives The aim of the study is to determine the factors that can prognosticate the good outcome of erythroderma. Methodology Cross sectional study from patients diagnosed to have erythroderma between 2003 and 2007 were analyzed with regard to age, sex, race, underlying medical illness, aetiology, duration of rash before diagnosis of erythroderma, response to topical therapy and prognosis. Results Four variables (aetiology, gender, duration of rash before being diagnosed as erythroderma and response to topical therapy) were associated with good prognosis. These variables were statistically significant from univariate analysis. When these variables were included into the binary logistic model, the study did not have enough evidence to proof that ‘aetiology’ and ‘gender’ can determine good prognosis. Response to topical therapy and shorter duration of rash (equal and less than 120 days) were significant with odds ratio (CI) of 4.11 (1.556, 10.885) and 4.608 (1.903, 11.155) respectively. Conclusion Shorter duration of rash and response to topical therapy are important factors to determine a good prognosis.