[Prevalence of immediate-type hypersensitivity to latex in a hospital employee population in Israel].

BACKGROUND

Different studies reported a prevalence of latex allergy among health care workers ranging between 5-22%. The prevalence of an allergy to latex in public hospitals in Israel has been reported in selected, non-heavily exposed populations in Israeli hospitals.

METHODS

Two hundred and three health care workers from the Rambam Medical Center volunteered to participate in this study. They completed a questionnaire including demographic data, personal, family allergic conditions and symptoms related to latex exposure. Blood samples were taken to determine the serum concentration of total IgE and latex-specific IgE antibodies.

RESULTS

Thirty workers (14.8%) were found to have latex-specific IgE antibodies. The principal findings accompanying workers with latex-specific IgE antibodies are profession, positive personal and family history of allergic conditions and elevated total IgE. Approximately half of the health care workers allergic to latex were physicians, most of them from the departments of intensive care, surgery and internal medicine.