Two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting and N-terminal protein microsequencing were used to characterize and identify the IgE-reactive proteins of Hevea latex that are the main cause of the latex type I allergy affecting especially health care workers and spina bifida children. This approach generated a comprehensive latex allergen database, which facilitated the integr...

Latex allergy is a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis. It produces mild symptoms, including skin rash and itching, which usually subside in a few days. However, latex allergy can also induce anaphylaxis, a severe type I hypersensitivity reaction that can cause urticaria, angioedema, hypotension, tachycardia, and bronchospasm. We report a case of anaphylactic shock during gastric cancer ...

While less than 1% of the general population is sensitized to latex, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that 8–12% of health-care workers are sensitized. The major source of workplace exposure is powdered natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves. NRL is harvested from Hevea brasiliensis trees and ammoniated to prevent coagulation resulting in the hydrolysis of the latex p...

Latex allergy is an emerging health issue believed to affect 5 to 10 percent of healthcare workers. The increase in the prevalence of latex allergy is believed to be associated with the increased use of latex gloves by healthcare workers in the mid 80’s in response to the AIDS epidemic. While statistics are unclear for the prevalence within the general population, it is estimated that somewhere...

BACKGROUND Occupational exposure of healthcare workers to natural rubber latex has led to sensitization and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Although environmental exposure to natural rubber latex products is necessary for sensitization, it is not sufficient. A number of genetic factors also seem to contribute to the latex sensitization; however, the multigenic nature of the allergic p...

1. Draisci G, Zanfini BA, Nucera E, Catarci S, Sangregorio R, Schiavino D, Mannocci A, Patriarca G: Latex sensitization: A special risk for the obstetric population? ANESTHESIOLOGY 2011; 114:565–9 2. Rendeli C, Nucera E, Ausili E, Tabacco F, Roncallo C, Pollastrini E, Scorzoni M, Schiavino D, Caldarelli M, Pietrini D, Patriarca G: Latex sensitisation and allergy in children with myelomeningocel...

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...

Natural rubber latex allergy is a public health issue that is yet to be addressed in many Australian hospitals. It is suggested that there is a widespread lack of awareness amongst hospital staff of the implications of this relatively new health problem. Natural rubber latex allergy is a cumulative, serious and incurable occupational health problem and a disabling disease. It can result in chro...

An overview of latex allergy, including methods for preventing reactions and reducing exposure to latex, is provided. Latex allergy is a serious medical problem for an increasing number of patients and health care workers. From an institutional perspective, several precautionary procedures need to be followed to ensure safe care for patients and to protect employees from unnecessary latex expos...

introduction: the prevalence of allergic airway diseases has dramatically increased in recent years all over the world. murine models of allergic airway inflammation have provided helpful information about treatment and cellular and molecular mechanisms of the disease. previous published works using murine models to investigate latex allergy did not introduce a complete characteristic eosinophi...