Prevalence of Latex Sensitization and Allergy among handicapped patients
Authors: I. Kobayashi, K. Kitsuki, S. Yamamoto, T.M. Horiuti, R.M. Goldblum, Y. Hamasaki
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2007)

RATIONALE: To determine the prevalence of NRL (natural rubber latex) sensitization and allergy among physically and mentally handicapped patients, we performed a prospective study at the Seishi-Gakuen Child Development Medical Center, Saga-city, Japan.METHODS: Sixty-four among 140 handicapped inpatients, who were considered to be at high risk for NRL sensitivity (frequent surgeries, urinary catheterization and severely handicapped) were examined. Allergy history, total IgE concentrations and latex specific IgE by CAP-RAST, (Pharmacia) were analyzed. Seven patients with latex sensitivity were also tested for banana-specific IgE by CAP-RAST.RESULTS: Seven patients (11% of the high risk group tested) had high latex-specific IgE (>score 2). Two of these had spina bifida (100% prevalence), one congenital anomaly (100% prevalence), one post-meningitis (17% prevalence), one post-subarachnoid hemorrhage (100% prevalence), one post-hypoxia (50% prevalence) and one achondroplasia (50% prevalence). The patient with achondroplasia case had Grade 3 symptoms = asthma attack after dental treatment. He had undergone16 surgeries. The post-hypoxia case had urticaria of unknown cause. None of the 7 had specific IgE antibodies to banana.CONCLUSION: Children within a high risk group (urinary catheterization, frequent surgeries, spina bifida, severely handicapped cases = unable to sit alone and take food orally) had a high prevalence of latex sensitization. While avoiding contact with latex for one year, the patient with grade 3 symptoms did not have any asthma attacksand the latex-specific IgE concentration in the serum diminished. RATIONALE: To determine the prevalence of NRL (natural rubber latex) sensitization and allergy among physically and mentally handicapped patients, we performed a prospective study at the Seishi-Gakuen Child Development Medical Center, Saga-city, Japan. METHODS: Sixty-four among 140 handicapped inpatients, who were considered to be at high risk for NRL sensitivity (frequent surgeries, urinary catheterization and severely handicapped) were examined. Allergy history, total IgE concentrations and latex specific IgE by CAP-RAST, (Pharmacia) were analyzed. Seven patients with latex sensitivity were also tested for banana-specific IgE by CAP-RAST. RESULTS: Seven patients (11% of the high risk group tested) had high latex-specific IgE (>score 2). Two of these had spina bifida (100% prevalence), one congenital anomaly (100% prevalence), one post-meningitis (17% prevalence), one post-subarachnoid hemorrhage (100% prevalence), one post-hypoxia (50% prevalence) and one achondroplasia (50% prevalence). The patient with achondroplasia case had Grade 3 symptoms = asthma attack after dental treatment. He had undergone16 surgeries. The post-hypoxia case had urticaria of unknown cause. None of the 7 had specific IgE antibodies to banana. CONCLUSION: Children within a high risk group (urinary catheterization, frequent surgeries, spina bifida, severely handicapped cases = unable to sit alone and take food orally) had a high prevalence of latex sensitization. While avoiding contact with latex for one year, the patient with grade 3 symptoms did not have any asthma attacksand the latex-specific IgE concentration in the serum diminished.