title: Occupational allergy to latex--life threatening reactions in health care workers. Report of three cases.
abstract: During the last decade natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has been acknowledged as a major problem among rubber glove-wearing medical personnel. Epidemiological studies carried out in the European Union member states as well as in the United States reveal that 2% to 15% of health care workers are allergic to latex. Latex allergy symptoms range from mild contact urticaria to severe systemic reactions. Serious, generalised reactions occur in 6-8% of patients allergic to latex. The risk factors for latex-induced anaphylaxis have not as yet been identified. NRL allergy symptoms may occur in the workplace as well as outside the occupational environment. The authors present clinical cases of 2 nurses and 1 laboratory worker, who developed severe allergic reactions to latex: case 1--during prophylactic gynaecologic examination, case 2--in the course of inhalative bronchial challenge test with latex aqueous extract and case 3--while blowing up balloon at home.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódź, Poland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pałczyński
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walusiak
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ruta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Górski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D007840:Latex