Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 2000. / Professionals in a healthcare setting use latex gloves on a daily basis, primarily to
prevent transmission of microbial and viral organisms to and from patients and
specimens. Repeated exposure to latex proteins (through direct skin contact or mucous
membrane absorption) leads to the formation of circulating latex-specific antibodies and
increases the risk of sensitisation. Among all known risk groups, healthcare workers
have the highest risk to develop latex hypersensitivity. Early detection of antibodies or
predisposing factors (e.g. atopy or impaired skin barrier function), could assist in the
identification and management of risk groups and limit possible sensitisation.
An experimental group with high occupational latex exposure is compared to a control
group with low or no occupational latex exposure at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town. A
questionnaire was completed by all subjects to obtain a thorough history of past and
present latex exposure and to identify other risk factors. A complete physical
examination was done to evaluate clinical signs and symptoms of risk factors and latex
hypersensitivity. Atopy was evaluated by means of the United Kingdom's Diagnostic
Criteria for Atopy, personal and lor family history of atopy, haematogram and total
serum IgE analyses. Latex-specific IgE antibodies were measured immunometrically.
Skin prick tests were performed on subjects with negative in vitro results, but with predefined
clinical symptoms suggestive of latex hypersensitivity.
An
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/2240 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | De Beer, Corena |
| Contributors | Cilliers, J., Truter, E. J. |
| Publisher | Cape Technikon |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/ |
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