[Prevalence of latex-fruit syndrome in health workers with latex allergy].
BACKGROUND
Prevalence of latex allergy in the general population is lesser than 1%. These patients have clinical and immunochemical cross-reactivity between latex and fruits; sometimes this has been referred to as the "latex-fruit-syndrome" (LFS); atopy was found to be a risk factor to sensitization to fruits.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of LFS, in a group of health care workers with latex-allergy.


METHODS
Hospital employees were initially screened for latex allergy with a questionnaire; these patients were divided into the following two groups: 1) health care workers with latex-allergy, classified into two subgroups: a) with a familial history of atopy; b) without a familial history of atopy, and 2) health care workers with familial history of atopy but without latex-allergy. Skin prick tests with latex and fruits extracts (kiwi, avocado, banana and chestnut) were done.


RESULTS
Based in clinical history and with confirmation by skin testing, three patients of the health care workers' group with latex allergy have LFS (prevalence of 12.5%). Sensitivity and specificity for skin prick test in health care workers with latex-fruit syndrome were: latex, kiwi and chestnut sensitivity: 100%; latex and avocado specificity: 90%; chestnut and kiwi specificity: 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
A low prevalence of latex-fruit syndrome was detected in our population. We found a higher prevalence in females with a history of atopy. Our findings were consistent with other literature reports.
Ramírez Cruz
Nora Elena
NE
Departamento de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica, Hospital de Especialidades, CMN Siglo XXI, IMSS.
Castrejón Vázquez
María Isabel
MI
Espinoza Goldman
Manuel Benjamín
MB
Martínez-Cairo Cueto
Salvador
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence