We evaluated 2401 patients with suspected streptococcal pharyngitis with the Culturette 10-minute Group A Strep ID test during a 6-month period in order to determine its suitability for rapid diagnosis in a busy private office practice. Duplicate throat swabs were obtained for each child, and latex agglutination was performed within 15 minutes. In children with negative latex agglutination resu...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The major economic product of Hevea brasiliensis is a rubber-containing cytoplasm (latex), which flows out of laticifers (latex cells) when the bark is tapped. The latex yield is stimulated by ethylene. Sucrose, the unique precursor of rubber synthesis, must cross the plasma membrane through specific sucrose transporters before being metabolized in the laticifers. The relati...

Background: Crude latex extracts are commonly used in skin prick tests (SPT) for the diagnosis of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy. Nevertheless, variations in protein and allergen composition between latex extracts from different manufacturers can hamper a correct diagnosis. Objectives: To analyze the heterogeneity of proteins and allergens in latex extracts from 7 different manufacturers an...

With the recent increase and awareness of natural rubber latex protein allergies, it is very important for all health care workers to understand and recognize the need to decrease and/or eliminate latex exposure in the rubber gloves and other rubber products for those individuals who are allergic to natural rubber latex. This study is based on a series of Lowry method of protein analysis. The f...

Over the last ten years allergy to latex has become a serious, life-threatening medical problem. Exposure to latex may result in immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria, dyspnoe, rhinitis, angioedema and anaphylactic shock in sensitized individuals. People occupationally exposed to latex--health care and rubber industry workers and children suffering from spina bifida--are the mo...

BACKGROUND: Chestnut allergy has been almost exclusively considered in the context of the latex-fruit syndrome. Chestnut allergens not linked to latex hypersensitivity have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore whether differences in sensitization patterns between chestnut allergy with or without associated latex-fruit syndrome can be detected. METHODS: Twelve patients sensitized to...

Incubation of human platelets in plasma containing a suspension of latex particles for 1-90 min resulted in progressive accumulation of particles in the open-channel system, followed by localization of latex in electron-opaque vacuoles. After 60 min, acid phosphatase was localized within latex-containing vacuoles. The periodate-alkaline-bismuth reaction intensely stained external membranes and ...

Background Actually, there are few reports of cross-reactivity between cassava and latex in the syndrome latex-fruit. Of allergens in the latex are identified particularly relevant to this case, recall some of them: Hev b 6.02, major allergen, Hev b 1, structural homology to papain, and Hev b 5, which could be responsible for the cross reactivity between latex and cassava by their structural si...

BACKGROUND A traditional method for the treatment of warts in some rural areas of Iran comprises the use of fig tree (ficus carica) latex as a local treatment; however, there is no scientific evaluation of its efficacy. METHODS A prospective, open right/left comparative trial of fig tree latex therapy vs. local standard of cryotherapy was carried out. Twenty-five patients with common warts we...

This study investigated the cytotoxicity exists between latex and non-latex Orthodontic elastomeric ligatures. Six elastomeric ligatures (1 latex, 2 latex-free and 3 polyurethane) from different manufacturers were divided into 6 groups of 15 elastics each: A (Latex-free, American Orthodontics), M (Polyurethane, Morelli), G (Polyurethane,GAC International), Te (Polyurethane, Tecnident), TP (Natu...