Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a delayed type of hypersensitivity from contact with a specific allergen to which the patients has developed a specific sensitivity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of epicutaneous patch testing with standard series of contact allergen in patients suspected to have ACD. Methods: 355 cases of ACD were included in the study. Test substances were applied on the upper part of the patient’s back, on clinically uninvolved and untreated skin. All patients were free from therapy with oral antihistamines, steroids and immunosuppressants. The patch test was removed and reaction were evaluated after 48 h and 72 h. Grading of negative (-) to positive (+ to ++++) patch test was done according to the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group. Statistical data analysis was performed by using χ2–test. Results: Of the 355 cases, 146 patients were male (41.1%) and 209 were female (58.9%). The youngest patients in the study was 16 years of age and the oldest was 67 years of age. The commonest age group affected was 41-50 years. Hands were the most common site of involvement. The occupational character of skin lesions was find in 75 (21.1%). The most common positive reactions were recorded to nickel sulphate 99 (27.8%), cobalt chloride 46 (12.9%), thimerosal 31 (8.7%), colophony 23 (6.5%), carba mix 21 (5.9%), potassium dichromate 20 (5.6%), acid chromici 19 (5.3%), fragrance mix 18 (5%), balsam of Peru 13 (3.7%), formaldehyde 9 (2.5%), and other allergens 26 (7.3%). Females were significantly more likely to show a positive response to two or more allergens (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant impact of age, occupation and duration of disease on results of patch testing (p>0.05). Conclusions: Our results indicate that nickel sulphate, cobalt chloride and thimerosal are the most common allergens responsible for induction of ACD. These findings are crucial in the treatment, long term management, an education of patients with ACD.

Writing of scientific articles requires high competence and scientific awareness, and the respect of scientific patterns of behavior. Every article should essentially be followed by the IMRAD structure, which is generally represented, with minor modifications, in the entire modern scientific publishing. Writing articles must follow the thread, have a meaningful beginning and end, and from each and every part of the context. Also, it is indicate the benefits of the paper, to its defect, defining ambiguous points that would have the process for further analysis in some subsequent studies by the same or another group of authors. It means, the chapter - Discussion represents the heart of every scientific article. The writing of the discussion itself must point to the specificity of the results of the work itself. Author wants to point out the importance of quality description of chapter Discussion, when scientists prepare their articles with presenting own results comparing it with results of other authors with similar topic.

In December of the 2017 passed away Kasim Muminhodzic, professor emeritus of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, on the subject of Gastroenterology. He was born in Lukavac near Tuzla in 1941. Graduated at the Medical Faculty in Belgrade, then the capital of former Yugoslavia. Completed specialization in Internal Medicine at one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the former Yugoslavia–the Military Medical Academy (MMA) in Belgrade.

Warner V. Slack (1933-2018), MD, FACMI worked as Professor at Harward Medical School (1-4). Dr. Slack was a 1955 graduate of Princeton, and a 1959 graduate of Columbia UniversityÂ’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Warner Slack received his bachelorÂ’s degree from Princeton University. His medical internship and residency training in neurology at the University of Wisconsin.

* Correspondence: sabina.seric-haracic@vfs.unsa.ba