The traditionally used ”Allergen” is replaced by ”Hapten” throughout the 2010 catalogue to avoid using an incorrect terminology. The only exception is Mx-21C; Dermatophagoides mix.

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Haptens are substances incapable of inducing an immunologic reaction in diagnostic in vivo testing as a stand alone compound. A hapten needs a binding to a protein to become an antigen capable of eliciting an allergic reaction and this binding depends on individual biological factors in the patient being tested.

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An allergen is defined as a full antigen with a capability to elicit an allergic reaction during the patch test proc-edure. Some examples of common allergens are pollens, cat dander and dust mites.