Latex Allergy In Health Care Workers Research Articles

Latex allergy in healthcare workers: A review

Allergy to latex is one of the reported concerns among healthcare workers. It has been found in various studies that latex sensitivity is 3–5 times higher in doctors and nurses as compared to non-healthcare workers. The main source of latex allergy is exposure to powdered gloves. Chronic exposure to latex can lead to various symptoms such as pruritus, dermatitis, erythema and urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. There is sparse Indian data due to a lack of awareness and diagnostic facilities; therefore, studies are required to evaluate latex-related symptoms and sensitisation with the use of powdered gloves as compared to the use of non-powdered gloves and to institute appropriate preventive strategies.

Cost-effective method to prevent latex allergy in healthcare workers

Cost-effective method to prevent latex allergy in healthcare workers

Latex allergy: ‘Plight, rights and fights’

Sixteen years after the first report of latex allergy in healthcare workers at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, in 1997, latex allergy remains an occupational risk and an ongoing challenge for healthcare institutions in South Africa, particularly those that have not yet adopted stringent latex-powdered glove avoidance measures.

Alergia ao látex em profissionais de saúde de São Paulo, Brasil

FUNDAMENTOS: Alergia ao látex é comum em trabalhadores da saúde, resultando em absenteísmo e afastamento das atividades profissionais. Há no Brasil poucos estudos publicados sobre o assunto. Enquanto na população geral a prevalência de alergia ao látex é menor que 2%, nos profissionais de saúde pode chegar a 30%. OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência de alergia ao látex em profissionais de saúde do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foi aplicado questionário aberto a profissionais que têm contato com luvas de borracha em todos os serviços do hospital. Foi colhido sangue daqueles que referiram sintomas e dosado anticorpo IgE específico por meio do ImmunoCAP. Para análise estatística utilizaram-se porcentagens, tabelas e teste qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Foram distribuídos 2.349 questionários, e respondidos 1.045, dos quais 129 referiram correlação entre uso de látex e sintomas sugestivos de alergia, e 54 permitiram a coleta de sangue para determinação de IgE específica. Neste grupo houve dois casos em que foi demonstrado anticorpo específico, estabelecendo-se prevalência de 3,7% de alergia ao látex. Fatores como gênero, profissão, freqüência de contato com luvas, setor de trabalho e antecedentes de atopia foram relacionados com maior prevalência de alergia ao látex. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de alergia ao látex encontrada foi de 3,7%.

Latex allergy in healthcare workers: An epidemiological study in a Spanish hospital

To design an effective prevention program in health care workers who are allergic to latex it is necessary to know the current epidemiological situation. The objectives were to determine the main factors associated with latex allergy and to quantify levels of airborne latex particles in different areas of our hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire completed by health care workers. Those who answered the first questionnaire were given a second one to fill out and an allergological study (skin-prick test and latex-specific IgE antibodies) was performed. Latex aeroallergen particles were collected with a Quan-tec-air in different areas of the hospital. The first questionnaire was sent to 2551 health care workers. Eight hundred forty-one (33.14%) subjects returned the completed questionnaire and were given the second questionnaire. One hundred fifty-four completed second questionnaire. We identified 28 patients who were allergic to latex, and 126 patients who were not allergic to latex. In the allergic population there were more nurses aides. More allergic patients were found in the Surgery Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Vascular Radiology Unit (VRU). Allergic patients were more likely to use a higher number of latex gloves and during more hours than nonallergic workers. In the Surgery Department, ICU, VRU, and Laboratory Department more pairs of latex gloves were used and during more hours. The medium level of latex aeroallergens in 24 determinations in 14 areas of the hospital was 8.12 ng/m3 (SD, 13.32 ng/m3; range, 0.3-57.7 ng/m3). The higher levels were found in Laboratory (n = 2; mean (M) 23; SD, 25.95 ng/m3) and Surgery Departments (n = 11; M, 7.43; SD, 16.98 ng/m3; Kruskal Wallis test, p = 0.09). Latex allergy is an important health problem for health care workers, especially for those working in surgical areas or in those places where more latex gloves are used; in these areas higher levels of airborne latex particles are found. We should take into account these data to design an effective secondary prevention program.

Natural rubber latex allergy among health care workers: A systematic review of the evidence

Natural rubber latex is a recognized allergen, but a recent meta-analysis failed to find any association between latex exposure and allergy in health care workers (HCWs). A meta-analysis was carried out under the auspices of the French National Regulatory Authority to assess the allergic risk induced by latex gloves in HCWs. The risk of work-related exposure to latex for the development of latex allergy was assessed. Prevalence and incidence rates of latex sensitization or allergy were compared in HCWs and in the general population. Exposure-response relationships were assessed in HCWs. Latex allergy was found in 4.32% (range, 4.01% to 4.63%) of HCWs and in 1.37% (range, 0.43% to 2.31%) of the general population. Latex-positive skin prick test responses ranged from 2.1% to 3.7% in the general population and from 6.9% to 7.8% for the HCWs. HCWs exposed to latex showed an increased risk of hand dermatitis (odds ratio [OR], 2.46; 95% CI, 2.11-2.86), asthma or wheezing (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.15-2.08), rhinoconjunctivitis (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.97-3.81), and at least one generic symptom (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.09-1.47). Sensitization to latex was significantly associated with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis. By contrast, exposure to latex was not associated with a significantly increased risk of positive skin prick test responses to latex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.94-2.30). HCWs have an increased risk of sensitization and allergic symptoms to latex. Prevention of latex allergy in HCWs is needed.

Natural rubber latex allergy in a health-care population in Wales.

Type 1 natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy prevalence rates quoted vary due to the different populations studied and methodologies used for assessment and investigation of NRL allergy. To investigate the rate of type 1 allergy to NRL in health-care workers (HCWs) in a single NHS trust in Wales. A response rate of 3716 of 5548 (67%) of the employees was obtained with a latex allergy questionnaire administered by the occupational health departments. Type 1 NRL allergy was diagnosed by correlating clinical symptoms, skin prick testing and IgE RAST to latex in the dermatology department. The period prevalence (1998-2001) for type 1 clinical latex allergy in HCWs was 25 of 4439 (0.56%). Of the 25 positive HCWs, 18 (72%) were nurses. The low prevalence rate of type 1 NRL allergy should not lead to underestimating the importance of clinically significant NRL allergy and the risks that need to be minimized.

Managing the Risk of Latex Allergy in Healthcare Workers and Patients

Managing the Risk of Latex Allergy in Healthcare Workers and Patients

Prevalence of latex allergy in hospital staff in Hong Kong

The prevalence of latex allergy in healthcare workers in Asian populations is unknown. We studied 1472 employees in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong using written questionnaires and 133 respondents underwent skin prick testing to latex glove eluates and common allergens. Glove-related symptoms were common and 455 (30.9%) reported one or more symptoms, the majority of which could be classified as glove dermatitis (GD). On the other hand, symptoms suggestive of latex allergy such as urticaria, rhinitis, wheeze and asthma, were encountered less frequently and were noted by 3.3%. In particular, one developed asthma and two had wheezing, but there was no report of anaphylaxis. A total of 9.9% reported allergic symptoms from contact with other latex devices, in particular, rubber bands, rubber boots, goggles and swimming. Nine subjects (6.8%) had positive skin test to one or more of the five latex extracts. All were atopic to common allergens. Skin test positivity to latex and banana extracts was positively correlated (P < 0.05). In univariate logistic regression, daily glove use, personal history of allergic disease and history of allergic symptoms to latex-containing devices other than gloves were significant risk factors for both GD and LA. Nurses were more likely to complain of GD and workers with positive skin test to latex were 8.6 times more likely to have symptoms of LA. In multiple logistic regression, the remaining significant associations were between history of daily glove use and GD (OR = 50.11, 95% CI 15.88-158.13), and between positive latex skin test and LA (OR = 8.14, 95% CI 1.27-52.36). Glove-related symptoms are common in healthcare workers in Hong Kong. Gloved healthcare workers are at risk of becoming sensitized to latex, and those with positive latex skin tests, long glove exposure time and frequent glove changes are at risk of clinical latex allergy.

Retrograde migration of starch in the genital tract of rabbits.

This study in a rabbit model simulates contamination with glove powder in association with a routine gynaecological examination. Large individual variations of powder contamination were found and there were no overall statistically significant differences between the control and experimental animals. The findings are supported by the observation that some but not all women develop adhesions after gynaecological surgery. Analyzes of variances indicate differences in the migration of starch particles in the genital tract with the highest amount of particles found three days after starch contamination of the vagina. Since no adhesions were observed, there would probably need to be an ongoing post surgical or post infectious inflammation in the tissue, when the starch particles are added. Starch powder from latex gloves can cause adhesions and increase the risk of latex allergy in healthcare workers. Retrograde migration in the genital tract cannot be excluded, powdered examination products should be eliminated from the gynecologicla examination room.