Prevalence of latex sensitization in infants and young children with asthma

Purpose. - The hypothesis is that this increasing trend could be linked to sensitization to 'new' allergens such as latex, especially in infants and y oung children. The aim of the study was to Verify the hypothesis that sensi tization to latex is more frequent in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic child ren. Patients and methods, - Two thousand two hundred and fifty-two infants and children less than 6 years of age with asthma were explored consecutively b etween December 1995 and December 1999 regarding: 1) their atopic status by skin testing to usual airborne and food allergens, and specific IgE assay, and 2) more specifically, their sensitization to latex by oriented questio nnaire, skin prick-test with commercial latex extract and anti-latex-specif ic IgE by CAP-System Pharmacia (R). Results. - Twenty-six infants had a latex-positive prick-test. Out of them: I) four had anti-latex-specific IgE, and 2) two experienced urticaria foll owing contact with a rubber balloon and a rubber mattress. Finally, latex s ensitivity was defected only in 2.5% patients with allergic asthma and 0.5% patients with non-allergic asthma. Conclusion. - The results of our study do not support the hypothesis that i ncreasing prevalence of asthma in our country might be due at least in part to latex sensitization. To confirm that clinical symptoms are related to a llergy to latex, prick-tests performed with a commercial extract appear to be less sensitive than specific IgE. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et med icales Elsevier SAS.