Prevalence of latex sensitization in healthy blood donors in Izmir, Turkey.

Although latex is a common allergen, the prevalence of natural rubber latex allergy in the general population in Turkey is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sensitization to natural rubber latex in a population of healthy blood donors. As skin prick testing of a sample of the general population was not feasible, the subgroup of adult healthy blood donors was chosen instead. Skin testing with commercially available reagents (Stallergenes) was performed on 952 volunteers attending the Blood Centre of the Social Security Hospital in Izmir, Turkey in 2001. The study population completed a questionnaire involving history of personal allergy and symptoms. In 20 blood donors (2.1%) the latex skin prick test (SPT) was positive. No relationship by age or gender was found. There was no relationship between previous allergic symptoms and SPT positivitiy to latex except for the systemic reaction related to any allergen (deep wheezing or any difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, faintness or edema). The prevalence of SPT positivity to natural rubber latex was 2.1% in a Turkish blood donor group, which can be related to the latex sensitivity within the general Turkish population.