Molecular allergens in the diagnosis of latex allergy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Molecular allergens enable the definition of sensitization profiles in allergic patients.

AIM:

To validate the most helpful allergens for the diagnosis of latex allergy in different clinical situations.

METHODS:

130 patients suspected to be allergic to latex with positive IgE against natural rubber latex (NRL) have been studied: 97 were confirmed as latex allergic (among which 55 professionally exposed to latex and 35 with a peranaesthetic anaphylactic shock) and 33 were only sensitized to latex without clinical allergy. Each serum was tested for IgE against 9 recombinant latex allergens and bromelain using Phadia ImmunoCAP 250.

RESULTS:

rHev b 6.01, 6.02, 2 and 5 were the major allergens in the allergic population. An excellent correlation (94%) was observed between IgE against rHev b 6.01 and latex prick test positivities. IgE against rHev b 1, 3 and 5 were more frequent and their levels significantly higher in patients with peranaesthetic anaphylactic shock. Among the asymptomatic patients (29/33 allergic to pollen), NRL IgE positivity is explained by the presence of anti-rHev b 8 and/or anti-carbohydrate IgE.

CONCLUSIONS:

rHev b 6.01 and rHev b 5 specific IgE are of major interest to confirm latex allergy diagnosis. 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. Finally, rHev b 8 is a helpful marker to highlight latex/pollen cross-reactivity which improves the specificity of the serological tests.

• Authors: L Garnier, L Selman, P Rouzaire, M Bouvier, O Roberts, F Bérard, J Bienvenu, F Bienvenu
• Journal: European annals of allergy and clinical immunology (Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 44 Issue 2 Pg. 73-9 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1764-1489 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 22768726 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Antigens, Plant
• Latex
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Allergens (immunology)
• Antigens, Plant (immunology)
• Child
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Latex (chemistry, immunology)
• Latex Hypersensitivity (blood, diagnosis, immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Skin Tests
• Young Adult