Latex allergy in subjects who had undergone multiple surgical procedures for bladder exstrophy: relationship with clinical intervention and atopic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of latex sensitization in a group of patients with bladder exstrophy, and to determine the role of associated risk factors, e.g. atopy, and the number and duration of surgical and anaesthetic procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 17 patients (15 children and two young adults) affected by bladder exstrophy who had undergone multiple surgical procedures. Skin-prick tests and specific immunoglobulin-E (IgE) assays against latex, food allergens cross-reacting with latex and inhalant allergens were carried out.
RESULTS: Twelve patients showed latex sensitization and five showed symptoms related to latex exposure, the most common of which was contact urticaria (four of the symptomatic patients). Intraoperative anaphylactic reaction had led to life-threatening events in only one child. Latex-specific IgE determined both by the prick test and assay was positive in all those with symptoms. Specific IgEs against inhalant allergens and foods were present in four of five symptomatic patients. In the seven sensitized patients with no clinical symptoms, the assay was positive in all, while the skin-prick test was positive only in four; specific IgEs against inhalant allergens were present in three of the seven. In the five patients not allergic and not latex-sensitized, only one showed allergic sensitization against grass pollen and mite allergen. None of the children without latex antibodies had symptoms of latex allergy. Symptomatic patients had a undergone significantly more hours of surgery, more cystography and had used intermittent catheterization for longer than those with no symptoms.
CONCLUSION: A third of patients with bladder exstrophy showed latex symptoms and another third had latex sensitization. Multiple surgical procedures and atopy play a major role in the development of latex hypersensitivity