Pathergy test
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]
Overview
The pathergy test, is a non-specific skin reaction to trauma that is observed in patients with Behçet disease. This reaction is classified as a hypersensitivity reaction. The positive pathergy test is one of the minor diagnostic criteria of Behçet’s disease.
Procedure
Skin Pathergy test
There is no standardized method for performing the pathergy test. However, the method below is one of the suggested ways.[1][2]
Procedure
The area of the skin should not be cleaned with disinfectant and the needle should be blunted against the inside surface of its sterile plastic sheath before using. The needle is inserted carefully at an angle of 30° to the skin into the dermis at a depth of 1.5–2 mm. The needle should not be observed beneath the epidermis and then it should be withdrawn with a twisting movement. The test is read between 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. One of the suggested scales for the degree of positivity is a three-point scale as follows:
- Negative Result: only needle mark (scored 0)
- Positive Result: the presence of papule or pustule
Another scale for the interpretation of the test, known as 'Dilsen pathergy test, is indicated in the table below:[3]
| Test result | Clinical characteristic of the test at 48 h |
| Negative result | Only erythema <2 mm |
| Undetermined | Only erythema >3 mm or papule 1-2 mm + erythema <2 mm |
| Positive result | 1+ Papule 2-3 mm + erythema >3 mm |
| 2+ Papule >3 mm + erythema >3 mm | |
| 3+ Pustule 1-2 mm + erythema >3 mm | |
| 4+ Pustule >2 mm + erythema >3 mm |
To increase the sensitivity of the test:
- make at least two needle pricks on the glabrous skin of the forearm
- Use a large hypodermic needle (21 gauge or less)
- Use four needle pricks in total
Oral pathergy test
To perform the test, a 20-gauge (0.9 mm) blunt disposable needle is used to prick the mucous membrane of the lower lip to the submucosa. The test is then read 48 hours later. The result is interpreted as below:[3]
- Positive Result: Presence of pustule and/or ulcer
- Negative Result: Absence of aformentioned lesions
This method is more accessible than the traditional skin test, as there is no need to measure the size of the lesion and pustule or ulcer of any size turn the test positive.
- Additionally, it has similar sensitivity to Dilsen skin pathergy test.
Associated Conditions
The following disorders are associated with positive pathergy test:[1]
- Behçet’s disease
- Pyoderma gangernosum
- Sweet’s syndrome
- Atypical eosinophilic pustular folliculitis
- Neonates with Down syndrome
- Myeloproliferative disorders
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Chronic myeloid leukemia treated with interferon α
- Inflammatory bowel disease
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Baker, M. R.; Smith, E. V.; Seidi, O. A. (2011). "Pathergy test". Practical Neurology. 11 (5): 301–302. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2011-000072. ISSN 1474-7758.
- ↑ Ozden, MG; Bek, Y; Aydin, F; Senturk, N; Canturk, T; Turanli, AY (2010). "Different application techniques of pathergy testing among dermatologists". Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 24 (10): 1240–1242. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03622.x. ISSN 0926-9959.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sharquie, K.E.; Al-Araji, A.; Hatem, A. (2002). "Oral pathergy test in Behçet's disease". British Journal of Dermatology. 146 (1): 168–169. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.4513_5.x. ISSN 0007-0963.