Latex hypersensitivity: relationship with positive prick test and patch test responses among hairdressers.
BACKGROUND
Natural rubber latex is a frequent cause of IgE-mediated allergy in hairdressers; but a non-IgE-mediated allergy to latex proteins can also occur. Sixty-one hairdressers, reporting latex glove-related symptoms, were enrolled in the study.


METHODS
They were evaluated for latex allergy by assessment of serum specific IgE and skin prick tests. Patients were patch tested to a rubber additive series and to latex. Proportions were compared by one-tailed Fisher's exact test; mean values of continuous variables were compared by Student's t-test.


RESULTS
A diagnosis of IgE-mediated latex allergy was made in 11 (18%) hairdressers; patch tests with rubber-related antigens were positive in 24 (39.3%) subjects. The most positive patch tests were those with para-phenylenediamine (33%). Two hairdressers (3.3%) showed delayed reactions to the latex sample. Hairdressers with IgE-mediated latex allergy were older and presented a personal history of atopy and local hives after exposure to latex; they were more likely to have a positive response to other allergens on prick or patch testing.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates a certain number of false-positive and false-negative results when reported symptoms of possible latex sensitivity were compared to prick and CAP tests to latex, indicating the problems of relying solely on self-report.
Nettis
E
E
Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio, Italy.
Dambra
P
P
Soccio
A L
AL
Ferrannini
A
A
Tursi
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D001461:Barbering; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber