The relationship between latex skin prick test responses and clinical allergic responses

Allergic responses to latex have been reported more frequently in the past 5 years. Although commercial skin prick test solutions are available and can be used in the diagnosis of latex allergy in some countries, the characteristics of patients sensitized to latex relative to their skin test responses have not been reported.

The purpose of this study is to relate the clinical characteristics of patients with latex sensitivity to the size of their latex skin prick test response.

A retrospective review of patients who were attending a hospital-based allergy and asthma clinic and who had positive skin test responses to a commercial latex skin test solution was undertaken.

Of 47 patients who had skin test responses to latex, 36 had a mean wheal diameter at least 3 mm greater than the negative control (diluent). Sixty-eight percent were health care workers. There was a positive association between the size of skin test response and severity of latex-induced symptoms (p < 0.001). A history of banana sensitivity was also associated with larger skin test responses (p < 0.05).

The size of the skin prick test response to latex solution that is commercially available in Canada reflects the severity of latex-induced clinical allergic responses.