Immediate-type hypersensitivity to latex is associated with a large variety of clinical reactions such as urticaria, rhinitis, asthma and even life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Health care workers (HCW) are included in high risk populations, because of the repeated wearing of latex gloves. A cohort of 239 HCW complaining pf work-related cutaneous and/or respiratory symptoms has been studied. Forty-nine subjects (20,5%) showed latex sensitization: among these 55,1% complained urticaria, 36,7% asthma, 42,8% rhinitis. All latex -allergic patients were positive to latex prick test, while only 76% had specific IgE against latex. Thus, latex prick testis more sensitive than IgE determination. Atopy was demonstrated in 75.7% of latex-positive patients, but eight subjects were non-atopic, that is positive only to latex prick test. The high prevalence of latex sensitive subjects depends on the selection criteria of the study population. prevalence of respiratory disorders is higher than reported in the literature.

Latex Allergy in Health Care Workers.

MARCER, GUIDO;
1995

Abstract

Immediate-type hypersensitivity to latex is associated with a large variety of clinical reactions such as urticaria, rhinitis, asthma and even life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Health care workers (HCW) are included in high risk populations, because of the repeated wearing of latex gloves. A cohort of 239 HCW complaining pf work-related cutaneous and/or respiratory symptoms has been studied. Forty-nine subjects (20,5%) showed latex sensitization: among these 55,1% complained urticaria, 36,7% asthma, 42,8% rhinitis. All latex -allergic patients were positive to latex prick test, while only 76% had specific IgE against latex. Thus, latex prick testis more sensitive than IgE determination. Atopy was demonstrated in 75.7% of latex-positive patients, but eight subjects were non-atopic, that is positive only to latex prick test. The high prevalence of latex sensitive subjects depends on the selection criteria of the study population. prevalence of respiratory disorders is higher than reported in the literature.
1995
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/137678
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