There are no data concerning the significance of
allergen specific nasal challenge to
latex (ASNCL) in the pediatric population and the effect of
mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS), topic
corticosteroid exerting a potent anti-inflammatory activity in children with
latex allergic rhinitis. The aims of this study are: to investigate the clinical and immune pathological effects of ASNCL in children with
latex allergy; to study the effects of MFNS pre-medication on the clinical and immune pathological effects of ASNCL in children with
latex allergy. Thirteen children: 6 male and 7 female, mean (SD) age 9.6 (2.9) years, with
latex allergy and seven children: 3 male and 4 female, mean (SD) age 9.9 (3.8) years, without
latex allergy underwent ASNCL. Nasal symptoms were recorded, nasal lavage fluid was collected to measure
tryptase,
eosinophil cationic protein (ECP),
interleukin-5,
interferon-gamma levels, and spirometric test was performed for each patient without or with
premedication with MFNS. ASNCL induced a clinical allergic response and increased
tryptase levels only in children with
latex allergy. No serious adverse events occurred after ASNCL. MFNS
premedication reduced both
tryptase and ECP levels only in children with
latex allergy. ASNCL is a simple, reliable and useful tool to make or confirm the diagnosis of nasal symptoms due to
latex; it allows us to study both clinical symptoms and local immunological changes. MFNS
premedication before an ASNCL may prevent some immunological responses induced by ASNCL without clinical allergic modifications.