Annals of Occupational Hygiene Advance Access originally published online on July 7, 2004
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Ann. occup. Hyg., Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 455-457, 2004
© 2004 British Occupational Hygiene Society
Published by Oxford University Press
Longitudinal Study of Sensitization to Natural Rubber Latex among Dental School Students using Powder-free Gloves
1 School of Applied Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, Western Ave, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK; 2 Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospital NHS Trust, Penlan Road, Llandough, Vale of Glamorgan CF64 2XX, UK; 3 Adult Dental Health, Dental School, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XY, UK
Received 17 July 2003; in final form 17 February 2004; published online on 7 July 2003
Background: A high rate of sensitization and clinical allergy to latex proteins has been reported in health care personnel. This is thought to be due to increased occupational exposure especially to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves with an estimated prevalence varying widely (2.8–18%). Objective: This was a longitudinal study to monitor a cohort of first-year dental students throughout 4 study years during exposure to powder-free gloves. Their atopic status was determined by skin prick testing using a panel of common allergens, and any sensitivity to latex proteins and the cross-reacting food allergens assessed. Methods: Skin prick testing was carried out on the volunteers using latex, avocado, kiwi, banana, grass pollens, tree pollen, house dust mite and cat dander. Each volunteer completed a questionnaire detailing allergic history and any previous latex exposure. Results: Skin prick testing showed a 65% incidence of atopy in the longitudinal study group. Initial latex skin testing was positive in 3 of the 63 students followed throughout their period of study. Subsequent testing gave a negative result in one student and one declined retesting. The third continued to give a positive response on each testing; she wore only nitrile gloves and remained free of clinical NRL allergy symptoms. No student developed latex sensitivity during the 5 yr of this study. Conclusion: Exposure to powder-free latex gloves was not associated with subsequent sensitization over 5 yr in a population with a high atopic incidence.
Keywords: allergy, dental, gloves, latex
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