[Latex allergy in a hospital setting. Results of a study in Casablanca]

On account of the increased use of rubber gloves, latex allergy is a current problem. The problem can present as anaphylaxis revealing its serious nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sensitivity to latex in health personnel. We carried out an enquiry on the hospital staff in Casablanca (Hospital of the 20th of August, Childrens Hospital, the Dental Centre, the Bouafi Hospital and Sidi Otmane Hospital). This study involved 600 subjects; 408 women and 192 men. The population was composed of 273 nurses of either sex, 169 doctors and 104 care workers and 54 administrators. The study was carried out using an anonymous questionnaire and cutaneous prick tests looking for latex allergy and atopy. Thirty two subjects (5.3%) showed a positive prick test to latex. There were 19 nurses, nine doctors, two health workers and two administrators. A study of specific immunoglobulins to latex carried out in 15 cases was positive in four. In the population with a positive prick test an alimentary allergy was identified in nine cases. The prevalence of atopy in the subjects allergic to latex (81%) was greater than in the latex negative population (16%). After seeing the frequency of latex allergy in hospital personnel we believe that a replacement of other types of gloves (e.g. vinyl) would probably be preferable for all tasks where latex is not indispensable.