Latex Hypersensitivity (Latex Allergy)

Allergic reaction to products containing processed natural rubber latex such as rubber gloves, condoms, catheters, dental dams, balloons, and sporting equipment. Both T-cell mediated (HYPERSENSITIVITY, DELAYED) and IgE antibody-mediated (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE) allergic responses are possible. Delayed hypersensitivity results from exposure to antioxidants present in the rubber; immediate hypersensitivity results from exposure to a latex protein.

Also Known As:

Networked: 638 relevant articles (16 outcomes, 67 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Anaphylaxis (Anaphylactic Shock)
2.	Urticaria (Hives)
3.	Asthma (Bronchial Asthma)
4.	Food Hypersensitivity (Food Allergy)
5.	Atopic Dermatitis (Atopic Eczema)

Experts

1.	Breiteneder, H: 10 articles (01/2007 - 04/2000)
2.	Kurup, Viswanath P: 7 articles (02/2012 - 08/2002)
3.	Turjanmaa, Kristiina: 7 articles (05/2011 - 08/2002)
4.	Palosuo, Timo: 7 articles (05/2011 - 08/2002)
5.	Reunala, Timo: 7 articles (05/2011 - 08/2002)
6.	Scheiner, O: 7 articles (01/2007 - 04/2000)
7.	Kelly, Kevin J: 6 articles (02/2012 - 12/2003)
8.	Bernardini, R: 6 articles (07/2011 - 04/2007)
9.	Alenius, Harri: 6 articles (05/2011 - 10/2002)
10.	Hamilton, R G: 6 articles (01/2010 - 01/2001)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Latex Hypersensitivity:

1.	LatexIBA 08/01/2006 - "In the absence of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared latex skin testing reagent, in vitro tests remain important for the diagnosis of latex allergy. " 01/01/2004 - "The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the latex allergy prevalence in a large population of health care workers, to quantify latex exposure deriving from use of gloves and to verify the efficacy of job fitness evaluations in allergic workers. " 06/01/2008 - "However, changing demographics of latex allergy and technological revolution in countries such as China and India are predicted to unleash a second wave of latex allergy reemphasizing the incentive for improved manufacturing procedures for latex products. " 01/01/2011 - "The aims of this study were to analyze the prevalence of latex allergy in primary care providers and to describe the characteristics of health care workers who are allergic to latex. " 12/01/2008 - "We conducted this large-scale hospital-based screening study to understand the incidence of latex allergy and latex sensitization among medical workers in Taiwan over the past 5 years. "
2.	Immunoglobulin E (IgE)IBA 02/01/2012 - "The performance of the FDA-cleared antilatex IgE serologic test for latex allergy has much lower sensitivity than previously reported. " 11/01/2000 - "Both in vitro penetration and in vivo studies highlight the importance of skin condition in the development of latex allergy, with enhanced penetration and earlier onset of IgE production seen with experimentally abraded skin. " 01/01/2015 - "Clinical manifestations of IgE-mediated latex allergy can range from troublesome skin disorders to life-threatening systemic reactions. " 01/01/2014 - "Tolerogenic dendritic cells derived from donors with natural rubber latex allergy modulate allergen-specific T-cell responses and IgE production." 01/01/2013 - "However, in two patients with latex-allergy diagnosed by elevated specific IgE only sensitized against Hev b8, additional sensitization to carbohydrate cross-reactive determinants (CCD) was found. "
3.	AllergensIBA 04/01/2007 - "More studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of SLIT in the treatment of subjects with latex allergy who are sensitized to inhalant allergens." 08/01/2004 - "To study the prevalence of FB sensitization and the relationship with Hevea latex allergy, to identify cross-reacting fruits, and to characterize the responsible allergens. " 05/01/2004 - "Although numerous studies have been conducted delineating the clinical manifestations of latex allergy and characterizing the protein allergens, little is known regarding the natural history of the disease. " 04/01/2012 - "To validate the most helpful allergens for the diagnosis of latex allergy in different clinical situations. " 04/01/2012 - "Molecular allergens in the diagnosis of latex allergy."
4.	AntigensIBA 02/01/2003 - "Studies on the prevalence of latex allergy differ a lot because different populations are evaluated with different methods to establish the sensitivity to the antigen. " 03/01/1992 - "These results suggest that the 14 kd peptide in NAL is a major antigen in rubber allergy but that AL is an acceptable antigen source for in vitro diagnostic studies." 09/01/2001 - "Most United States dermatologists do not evaluate patients for latex allergy, most likely because of lack of available antigens and because methods for diagnosing latex allergy are not familiar to most dermatologists." 05/01/1995 - "Our experience indicates that the incidence of latex hypersensitivity in children is increasing, that the circumstances (patient profile, hospital location, route of exposure) in which life-threatening reactions may occur are more broad than previously reported, and that a better understanding of both environmental sources of latex antigens and host responses to latex exposure are needed for improved prevention of serious reactions." 03/01/2015 - "Several fruits have been reported to crossreact with latex antigen in latex allergy patients but little is known regarding tropical fruits in particular. "
5.	Proteins (Proteins, Gene)IBA 11/01/2000 - "Diagnostic accuracy can be improved through greater knowledge of proteins involved in the development of latex allergy, and better documentation of the presently available diagnostic tests. " 01/01/2010 - "Microarrays of recombinant Hevea brasiliensis proteins: a novel tool for the component-resolved diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy." 03/01/2005 - "Skin prick test reactivities against purified proteins were examined in 15 patients with natural rubber latex allergy. " 05/01/2002 - "These models have been used to investigate the role of route of exposure on the development of latex allergy and to provide a means for investigating the contribution of individual proteins to adverse respiratory and dermal responses. " 05/01/2002 - "A small number of these proteins have given rise to the problem of latex allergy. "
6.	omalizumab (Xolair)FDA Link 02/01/2004 - "Effect of omalizumab in health care workers with occupational latex allergy." 08/01/2005 - "Additionally, we consider the role of this novel therapeutic agent in combination with specific allergen immunotherapy and discuss other potential indications for omalizumab in IgE-mediated disorders, including food allergy, latex allergy, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria." 05/01/2013 - "In addition to asthma, Omalizumab has been investigated in various other conditions including perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR), peanut allergy, latex allergy, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria (CU), idiopathic anaphylaxis, mastocytosis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis and nasal polyposis. " 09/01/2012 - "We present an overview of the experimental studies and clinical reports evaluating the use of omalizumab in diseases different to asthma including atopic dermatitis, urticaria, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, idiopathic anaphylaxis, latex allergy, hymenoptera venom allergy, and other IgE diseases. " 01/01/2014 - "We found that omalizumab in patients with severe persistent asthma (SPA) was an effective therapy for asthma and the following co-morbid conditions: chronic urticaria (CU), bee venom allergy, latex allergy, atopic dermatitis, food allergy and Samter's syndrome. "
7.	Hydrocortisone (Cortisol)FDA LinkGeneric 12/01/1997 - "A latex allergy was suspected, and management with hydrocortisone resulted in remission of symptoms. "
8.	Rubber (Elastica)IBA 03/01/2001 - "Numerous studies and documents have been recently produced on the topic of latex allergy but the unpredictable nature of the clinical reactions and the widespread use of natural rubber products in health care has led to incorrect use due to inadequate risk assessment. " 11/01/1999 - "Natural rubber latex hypersensitivity has been reported in 2.9 to 17% of health care workers in previously published studies. " 12/01/2009 - "Natural rubber latex hypersensitivity with skin prick test in operating room personnel." 07/01/2004 - "Furthermore, it became evident that health care workers whose work environment involved frequent exposure to natural rubber products showed a higher incidence of latex allergy. " 07/01/2004 - "At first, we used questionnaires to collect information regarding the level of awareness of latex allergy as well as the incidence of clinical symptoms when using natural rubber products. "
9.	L 644711 (B-3(+))IBA 11/01/1999 - "The aim of this study was to clone and express Hev b 3 and to obtain the immunologic active and soluble recombinant allergen for diagnosis of SB-associated latex allergy. " 08/01/2003 - "Induction of mucosal tolerance with recombinant Hev b 1 and recombinant Hev b 3 for prevention of latex allergy in BALB/c mice." 04/15/2000 - "Characterization of T cell responses to Hev b 3, an allergen associated with latex allergy in spina bifida patients." 11/01/1999 - "Cloning, expression, and characterization of recombinant Hev b 3, a Hevea brasiliensis protein associated with latex allergy in patients with spina bifida." 04/01/2012 - "rHev b 5 is particularly useful in case of monosensitization where clinical symptoms and latex skin prick tests may be discordant, rHev b1 and rHev b 3 are interesting to document multi-operated and peranaesthetic latex allergy. "
10.	AntibodiesIBA 02/01/2009 - "Antibodies recognizing this important allergen have potential to be used to diagnose and ultimately treat latex allergy." 12/01/1999 - "None of the children without latex antibodies had symptoms of latex allergy. " 09/01/1996 - "Associations between potential risk factors for latex allergy and anti-latex antibodies were assessed. " 08/01/1995 - "Sera from 18 patients with previously verified latex allergy were used as the source of IgE antibodies, and 11 of the patients underwent skin prick testing with fresh avocado. " 06/01/1996 - "The results show that guinea pigs are capable of making antibodies to latex protein components that mediate dermal and systemic anaphylaxis, paralleling the spectrum of clinical and laboratory findings of humans with immediate-type clinical latex hypersensitivity."

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Immunotherapy 12/01/2005 - "The findings point to the selection of suitable hypoallergenic preparations for clinical trials of effective and safe latex allergy immunotherapy." 09/01/2012 - "The objective of the this article is to review the available literature on clinical trials of specific immunotherapy in latex allergy. " 12/01/2005 - "Limited studies on current specific immunotherapy for latex allergy are reviewed, confirming the feasibility but demonstrating an unacceptable risk of adverse events. " 05/01/2002 - "Although further studies are required, specific immunotherapy is one therapeutic possibility that may in future be used in children with latex allergy." 09/01/2012 - "Latex allergy remains a significant problem, especially among certain professional categories, and specific immunotherapy has been suggested as a suitable therapeutic option. "
2.	Catheters 10/01/2003 - "The number of operations, the total hours of surgery, the number of drainages, the total days of drainage, the total days of central venous catheter were significantly greater in group 1 than in group 2. Both of the highest risk oesophageal atresia classes (Waterston C and Montreal II) were related to latex allergy. " 01/12/2012 - "Catheters can cause discomfort and reasons for this are discussed including latex allergy, atrophic changes in women, blockage or bypass. " 06/01/2004 - "[A case of latex allergy induced by indwelt Foley catheter]." 06/28/2001 - "The article addresses this before examining the problems, which include: catheter blockage; bypassing of urine; catheter rejection and balloon non-deflation; and latex allergy. " 01/01/1998 - "[Latex allergy: local hypersensitivity reaction cause by an esophageal catheter in compliance determination]."
3.	Surgical Gloves (Surgical Glove) 05/24/2001 - "Biogel Skinsense N: surgical glove management for latex allergies." 01/01/1997 - "This paper concludes that the universal introduction of powder-free surgical gloves with low protein content would be a very important measure in the prevention of acquired latex allergy." 06/01/1995 - "Barrier protection and latex allergy associated with surgical gloves." 04/01/2003 - "Although increased incidence of latex allergy has led to increased use of nonlatex surgical gloves, the effectiveness of these gloves as a barrier to infection has not been examined thoroughly. " 11/01/1989 - "Severe intraoperative anaphylaxis to surgical gloves: latex allergy, an unfamiliar condition."
4.	Anesthesia 03/01/1997 - "This study is the first epidemiological investigation of latex allergy among anesthesia staff. " 04/01/1998 - "Latex allergy and anesthesia." 05/01/1995 - "[Anesthesia in a patient with latex allergy]." 12/01/1996 - "Although the patient was not in a high-risk group for latex allergy, detailed questioning confirmed that sensitivity had developed during repeated exposures in previous anesthesia and dental care. " 09/01/2014 - "Anaphylaxis associated with latex allergy is one of the fatal complications during anesthesia. "
5.	Enema (Enemas) 05/01/1991 - "After considering multiple possibilities, we conclude that the reactions associated with barium enemas observed in these six patients are most probably the result of latex allergy." 01/01/1993 - "[Anaphylactic reaction associated with rubber allergy during barium enema studies]." 06/05/1991 - "Physicians should be aware that latex allergy can present as anaphylaxis during surgery, barium enema, or dental work. " 05/01/1991 - "Anaphylaxis associated with latex allergy during barium enema examinations." 12/01/2004 - "Symptoms of latex allergy were wheezing, swelling of face or lips, facial rash, or anaphylaxis, and causative latex-containing products were teat, pacifier, nose cleaner, teether, balloon, or enema tube. "