LATEX-INDUCED ASTHMA IN 4 HEALTH-CARE WORKERS IN A REGIONAL-HOSPITAL

Hypersensitivity to latex gloves has often been reported in patients w ho have undergone surgical treatment. Recent reports suggest that late x antigens can produce cutaneous and respiratory symptoms in workers o ccupationally exposed to latex. Four such cases of healthcare workers who were sensitized through exposure to latex have been observed. Two of these workers presented dermatitis as well as work-related respirat ory symptoms, while the others only showed symptoms suggesting occupat ional asthma. The subjects were diagnosed as having latex hypersensiti vity after skin prick-testing, and the immunoglobulin E serum level ag ainst latex gave positive results. In addition, changes in methacholin e responsiveness also took place. In one case, an occupational exposur e test was carried out which resulted in a 24% drop in the FEV(1) valu e after 25 min of inhalation exposure. At least one year after the dia gnosis, two nurses (subjects A and D) who had been removed completely from latex exposure experienced no further latex-induced symptoms. The other workers, who have continued working in the same laboratories us ing vinyl gloves, now display less severe symptoms but require regular anti-allergy treatment.