The histopathology of fiberglass dermatitis in relation to von Hebra's concept of eczema.

A group of 36 normal control persons was patch-tested with glass fibers. The tested filaments had a length of about 3 to 5 mm and a diameter of 9 to 13 µm. The glass fibers were obtained from the normal production process. They were coated with cured epoxy resin. A group of 29 normal control persons was tested with the same type of fibers from which the epoxy finish had been burned off. Another group of 36 persons was patch-tested with ultrasmall glass globes with a diameter of 10 to 15 µm. Coated and uncoated glass globules were tested. On every person 5 patch tests with the same material were done. They were removed after 1, 5, 24, 48 and 72 h. On coated fiber, 12 of 36 tested people reacted with either a + or a ++ reaction. On the uncoated fibers a reaction could be noted in 10 out of 29 persons. The patch tests with coated as well as uncoated glass globules were all negative. A total of 60 biopsies was performed In those cases where + or ++ reactions were noted. The histological examination of the biopsies showed no differences between the reactions on coated and uncoated fibers. The skin reactions to glass fiber showed, besides microtraumatic changes, several histological characteristics of an eczematous reaction, like spongiosis and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration. The importance of these findings is discussed. It is emphasized that histological alterations are only one of the six points which must be taken into account when the diagnosis of eczema is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]