Sussman G L, Lem D, Liss G, Beezhold D
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1995 May;74(5):415-8.
Latex allergy has been well described in healthcare workers and children with spina bifida. Cost effective measures to avoid latex allergic reactions are possible in these recognized risk groups.
To study the prevalence of latex allergy among hospital housekeepers regularly exposed to latex gloves.
Fifty members of the housekeeping staff at a Toronto teaching hospital were screened by questionnaire for latex allergy. Patients with possible atopy or symptoms suggestive of latex allergy (20) were skin tested with latex (Bencard Laboratories) eight common allergens and histamine control.
Four of 20 tested had a positive latex prick skin test representing an 8% prevalence overall within this group, and a 20% prevalence among atopic housekeepers. Based on an expected 1% prevalence in the general population, this was statistically significant (P < .005). Latex-positive patients had extensive exposure to high protein-unlined latex gloves. Positive patients had a similar yet completely unique immunoblot pattern of IgE binding. All four positive patients had unrecognized latex allergic symptoms (hand dermatitis, rhinoconjunctivitis). One housekeeper experienced itchiness of her face, angioedema, and lightheadedness immediately after inflating a latex balloon.
The 8% prevalence of a positive latex skin test in regularly exposed hospital housekeepers is similar to that observed among healthcare workers suggesting this is a new risk group.
乳胶过敏在医护人员和脊柱裂患儿中已有充分描述。在这些已确认的风险群体中，采取具有成本效益的措施来避免乳胶过敏反应是可行的。
研究经常接触乳胶手套的医院勤杂工中乳胶过敏的患病率。
通过问卷调查对多伦多一家教学医院的50名勤杂工进行乳胶过敏筛查。对20名可能患有特应性疾病或有乳胶过敏症状的患者，用乳胶（本卡德实验室）、8种常见过敏原和组胺对照进行皮肤试验。
20名接受检测的患者中有4名乳胶点刺皮肤试验呈阳性，该组总体患病率为8%，特应性勤杂工中的患病率为20%。基于一般人群中预期的1%患病率，这具有统计学意义（P <.005）。乳胶阳性患者广泛接触高蛋白无衬里乳胶手套。阳性患者具有相似但完全独特的IgE结合免疫印迹模式。所有4名阳性患者都有未被识别的乳胶过敏症状（手部皮炎、鼻结膜炎）。一名勤杂工在吹起乳胶气球后立即出现面部瘙痒、血管性水肿和头晕。
经常接触乳胶的医院勤杂工中乳胶皮肤试验阳性的患病率为8%，与医护人员中观察到的患病率相似，表明这是一个新的风险群体。
