Descriptive study of 226 patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma

The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis is high in general population and aeroallergens are the most common allergens that cause air way inflammation. The aim of this study was an evaluation of clinical and laboratory findings in allergic patients and identification of the most common aeroallergen in these patients. A cross–sectional retrospective study was conducted on 226 allergic patients who were referred to allergic clinic of Karaj city, and skin prick test response to aeroallergens were studied. The most common risk factors in these patients were total IgE more than 100 IU/ml and a positive family history of atopy. Skin prick testing results showed that the most common aeroallergens were: herbacee II [62%], sycamore [57%], chenopodium [53%], tree mix [50%], herbacee III [47%], grass [43%], ash [40%], herbacee I [37%], cedar [27%], cockroach [25%], and mite D.P [19%], D.F [18%]. High prevalence of skin reactivity to weeds [chenopodium and herbacee] and sycamore indicates variation in the prevalence of aeroallergen reactivity in different regions with different climates

[ cross-sectional study of Latex allergy among operation room staff of hospitals of Tehran university of medical sciences, 1380-1381]

Latex allergy is a major occupational disease with prevalence nearly 5-17% among the health care workers. To determine the prevalence of latex glove allergy and its contributing factors among operation room staff. In this study, 512 operation room staff were evaluated for latex allergy, using a complete questionnaire. Those suspected to have latex allergy underwent these tests: Eosinophils counting, measurement of serum total and latex specific IgE, latex skin prick test, latex and glove additives patch test. From evaluated staff, 178 [34.8%] had a history of sensitivity to latex gloves, from which 59 persons underwent the tests voluntarily. According to the results of the tests, 13 [22%] had type I allergy to latex, 3 [5.1%] had type IV allergy to latex and 9 [15.3%] had both allergies. There were no significant relationship between latex allergy and age, sex, job, season, family and personal history of allergies. Significant relationship was found between type I allergy to latex and allergy to kitchen gloves and also between type IV allergy and allergy to other plastic clothing. Prevalence of latex allergy in this study is much higher than similar studies, which demands more evaluation to determine the contributing factors