title: Prevalence of latex-specific IgE antibodies in hospital personnel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rubber latex hypersensitivity is an important concern for health care workers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, conducted a multicenter study of the prevalence of latex-specific IgE antibodies among United States hospital personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine hospitals participated in the cross-sectional study. A total of 504 hospital personnel completed questionnaires that provided an array of demographic, occupational, and clinical information, including a history, if any, of allergies and the use of latex and nonlatex gloves. More than three-quarters (76.5%) of the participants were tested for total IgE and latex specific IgE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 21 (5.5%, 95% CI = 3%-7%) of the tested participants were positive for the presence of latex specific IgE antibodies, defined as a latex IgE level of > or = 0.6 ng/mL. Latex specific IgE antibodies were more prevalent in participants who reported tachycardia, palpitations, flushing, or wheezing associated with latex gloves (Odds Ratio = 10.2, 95% CI = 3.7-28.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study's results suggest that the prevalence of latex-specific IgE antibodies among hospital personnel is appreciable and these personnel and their health care providers should be aware of this entity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Kaczmarek
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Arrowsmith-Lowe
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D015995:Prevalence; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber