[Latex allergy--not only a threatening danger to patients. A case report from an anesthesiological department]

A 31-old male nurse of anesthesiology was exposed to rubber gloves over a period of ten years. An atopic diathesis was known. From time to time he had episodes of pollinosis. Since nine months he had suffered from conjunctivitis, rhinitis and shortness of breath while wearing latex gloves. During a night shift ten minutes after consumption of tropical fruit (bananas, kiwi) he had to care for a patient in the emergency room. He wore rubber gloves and had to clean the emergency room. Initially, his palms and feet itched. Then he experienced angor and increased perspiration 90 seconds later he suffered severe dyspnea and dysesthesia in the lower extremities. Treatment with theophylline and beta sympathomimetics, steroids and antihistaminics was successful. This male nurse had a positive history for contact urticaria after exposition to rubber. He suffered a dramatic exacerbation when wearing latex gloves and inhaling latex-contaminated air after eating tropical fruits. Fruit could have been a potent booster. Hospital employees with a history of atopic disease should be screened for potential latex allergy before occupational exposure.