LATEX ALLERGY IN HOUSEKEEPING PERSONNEL

Background: Latex allergy has been well described in healthcare worker s and children with spina bifida. Cost effective measures to avoid lat ex allergic reactions are possible in these recognized risk groups. Ob jective: To study the prevalence of latex allergy among hospital house keepers regularly exposed to latex gloves. Methods: Fifty members of t he housekeeping staff at a Toronto teaching hospital were screened by questionnaire for latex allergy. Patients with possible atopy or sympt oms suggestive of latex allergy (20) were skin tested with latex (Benc ard Laboratories) eight common allergens and histamine control. Result s: Four of 20 tested had a positive latex prick skin test representing an 8% prevalence overall within this group, and a 20% prevalence amon g atopic housekeepers. Based on an expected 1% prevalence in the gener al population, this was statistically significant (P <.005). Latex-pos itive patients had extensive exposure to high protein-unlined latex gl oves. Positive patients had a similar yet completely unique immunoblot pattern of IgE binding. All four positive patients had unrecognized l atex allergic symptoms (hand dermatitis, rhinoconjunctivitis). One hou sekeeper experienced itchiness of her face, angioedema, and lightheade dness immediately after inflating a latex balloon. Conclusions: The 8% prevalence of a positive latex skin test in regularly exposed hospita l housekeepers is similar to that observed among healthcare workers su ggesting this is a new risk group.