OBJECTIVEIn order to study the pathogenesis of latex allergy and the significance in the prevention and cure of occupational diseases.

METHODS651 cases in the out-patient department were tested with skin prick test (SPT), and the specific IgE (sIgE) to latex were detected by means of disk ELISA and Western-blot.

RESULTSIt was found that the positive rate of latex SPT (37.5%) and sIgE (31.25%) were rather higher in patients in comparison with those of the normal. The positive rate of latex sIgE was much higher in the high-risk group than that of the low-risk group and the normal. The serum of the patients can react with multi-bands in the latex glove extracts.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of latex allergy is rather high, this disease is mediated by IgE. The people in high-risk should be tested by latex allergy in order to take proper occupational and daily protection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Latex Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Outpatients ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult