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Metal allergy is common in patients with various diseases such as skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema), autoimmune diseases (Multiple Sclerosis, thyroiditis, Sjögren’s disease) and gastrointestinal diseases. Patients with symptoms of profound fatigue of unclear etiology (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalitis) often suffer from metal allergy induced by dental metals.
Candida allergy, drug allergy (such as penicillin allergy) and allergy to chemicals (such as formaldehyde) can also be tested. Recently, MELISA® has been developed to test for Borrelia to improve the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
Metal allergy has also been implicated in autistic disorders and allergy against thimerosal (a mercury preservative in vaccines) can be detected by MELISA®. Avoidance of allergens often results in significant health improvement of the patient. Follow-up MELISA® usually shows reduced lymphocyte reactivity as well.
In addition to dental fillings such as amalgam and gold, metals are found in body implants such as hip joints, knee prosthesis, and pacemakers. In the majority of patients, these implants are biocompatible. However, in sensitive patients, the implants may induce side-effects such as pain, dermatitis, cutaneous swelling, impaired wound healing, bone infections and implant loosening. Although bacterial infection is often the cause of implant rejection, sometimes no bacteria are detected despite of inflammation. These adverse effects are mediated by so called wearing products of implant materials. Nickel, cobalt and chromium are known metal allergens. Recently, the cases of titanium allergy have also been described in scientific literature. Titanium is a transition metal and thus may function as a hapten and trigger cellular hypersensitivity. Since titanium is used as white pigment in toothpastes, cosmetics and medicaments, the latent sensitization of susceptible individuals is possible. Case reports convey disappearance of symptoms after the removal of the implant and positive delayed-type reactions are confirmed by patch-testing or by decreased lymphocyte proliferation to specific metal allergens in vitro. MELISA® screening prior implantation can detect the possible existence of sensitization and allow the use of biocompatible implants on the individual basis.
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