PROLIFERATION OF NICKEL-SENSITIVE HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES BY CORROSION PRODUCTS OF ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES

Lymphocyte transformation tests were performed on peripheral blood tak en from individuals with a history of contact dermatitis who also pres ented with a positive patch test to nickel sulphate, and from individu als with no history of contact dermatitis. The results implied that ni ckel leached out from metallic orthodontic appliances in sufficient am ounts and of a chemical nature adequate to stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes from some of the nickel-sensitive subjects.