Objectives : Specific challenge tests (SICs) are considered reference tests for allergic occupational diseases diagnosis. However, in numerous cases, SICs cannot be carried out in the diagnosis of allergy to latex due to the risk of generalized reactions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of sIgE determination to recombinant latex allergens in diagnostics of occupational respiratory allergy.

Materials and Methods : The study group comprised 44 healthcare workers (HCW) suspected of suffering from occupational respiratory allergy to latex (they underwent a physical examination, skin-prick tests (SPTs) to common and latex allergens, spirometry and SIC) and 17 controls not occupationally exposed to latex, with a positive sIgE against latex. Each serum was tested for allergen-specific IgE to aeroallergens, latex, eight recombinant latex allergens and CCD-markers.

Results : Specific IgE against Hev b5, 6.01, and 6.02 were significantly more frequently detected in HCWs and their mean serum levels were higher compared with the control group. In 26 HCWs with occupational asthma (OA), sensitization to Hev b5, Hev b6.01, Hev b6.02 was significantly more frequent than in 18 HCWs with work-exacerbated asthma (WEA); they had positive results SPT to latex significantly more frequently in comparison with subjects with WEA.

Conclusions : Test for recombinant latex allergens is much more accurate in recognition of latex allergy than test for latex extract, which seems to produce false-positive results in patients with pollen allergy. The measurements of sIgE against recombinant latex allergens Hev b 6.01, 6.02, 5, and 8 are useful in differentiating OA from WEA.