Profile of Latex Sensitization and Allergies in Children and Adolescents With Myelomeningocele in São Paulo, Brazil

Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology

D Solé¹  M Carvalho Mallozi¹  S Cavalheiro²  R Faria Camilo Araujo¹  A Bueno de Sá¹ 

[1] Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

关键词: Brazil;    Recombinant allergens;    Myelomeningocele;    Latex;    Allergy;   

Others  :  1183842

【 摘 要 】

Background: Latex allergy is an important cause of occupational allergy. In many countries the prevalence of latex allergy is still high and the profile of latex sensitization is unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of sensitization and allergy to latex in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods: The study included 55 children and adolescents with myelomeningocele followed at a specialized center. In addition to a standard questionnaire and skin prick tests (SPTs) to aeroallergens and total latex, the patients underwent determination of total and specific serum IgE to latex and recombinant allergens.

Results: We observed a prevalence of 25% for latex sensitization and of 20% for latex allergy. Twenty-four patients (43.6%) were atopic and the average age for the first reaction to latex was 44.5 months. Cutaneous reactions were the most frequently reported reactions (72.7%). Specifi c immunoglobulin (Ig) E to rHev b 1, rHev b 3, rHev b 5, rHev b 6.1, and rHev b 6.2 was detected in over 50% of patients allergic to latex. Multivariate analysis showed current asthma, atopy, and having undergone 4 or more operations to be risk factors for latex sensitization.

Conclusions: Our study documented a high prevalence of sensitization and allergy to latex in patients with myelomeningocele. Specific IgE to rHev b 1, rHev b 3, rHev b 5, rHev b 6.1, and rHev b 6.2 was detected in over 50% of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele who are allergic to latex. A history of current asthma, atopy, and having undergone 4 or more operations were independent risk factors for latex allergy.