title: Prevention of IgE Sensitization to Latex in Health Care Workers After Reduction of Antigen Exposures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate occupational latex allergy in health care workers (HCWs) before and after an intervention designed to reduce latex allergen exposure from gloves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Latex antigen concentrations in work area air ducts were measured before the intervention. Symptoms and latex sensitization were monitored annually before and after the intervention in 805 HCWs, using questionnaires and skin prick testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of latex sensitization before the intervention correlated with air duct latex antigen measurements, for HCWs exposed to low (9/413, 2%), intermediate (23/292, 8%), and high (11/67, 16%) antigen levels, P < 0.0001. After the intervention, new latex sensitization rates declined 16-fold, and 25% of previously sensitized employees reverted to negative skin tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Airborne antigen exposure is a major source of latex sensitization among HCWs. Use of powder-free latex gloves markedly reduces the risk of sensitization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics (Allergy/Immunology), Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. kjkelly@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Mei Lin
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meribeth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klancnik
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Petsonk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000941:Antigens / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000941:Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E