Relevance of latex aeroallergen for healthcare workers

Abstract

ABSTRACT The dispersion of latex allergen bound on glove powder has been shown to be of clinical importance to latex-sensitized medical staff and patients. To investigate whether latex aeroallergen is associated with the development of latex allergic reactions in health care workers, air samples were collected in 33 hospital rooms and two physicians' offices. Concentrations of latex allergens in the samples were determined by a competitive inhibition immunoassay and related to reported hypersensitivity reactions and to specific IgE results of 111 staff members engaged in these rooms. Latex aeroallergen (up to 205 ng/m 3 ) could be detected in all rooms where powdered latex gloves were used and ventilation systems were not installed. Conjunctivitis ( n =10), rhinitis ( n =12) and dyspnea ( n =4) were reported exclusively by employees working in such contaminated rooms. Also workers with latex-specific IgE antibodies ( n =l 7) were found only in these rooms. Urticaria in personnel ( n =26) was reported in rooms with and without detectable allergen load. All symptoms were significantly associated with latex-specific IgE antibodies. Our results demonstrate that immediate-type sensitization and allergic symptoms are associated with detectable latex aeroallergen.