Background: Ficus benjamina is a plant belonging to the Moraceae family; although it does not bloom, it may be a source of indoor allergens. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of exposure and sensitization to Ficus benjamina in our environment, the clinical expression of such sensitization, and the possible cross reactivity with other allergens. Patients and methods: a to...

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...

Allergic reactions to latex are common in patients with spina bifida. Its incidence varies between 28% and 67%. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of latex allergy and its risk factors in patients with spina bifida in Izmir, Turkey. Forty-six patients (24 male, mean age 10 years) were included in the study. A questionnaire was completed and skin prick tests with latex soluti...

INTRODUCTION Differentiating between cross-reactivity and double sensitization is still a challenging issue in allergology. AIM To differentiate cross-reactions accompanying latex allergy with the use of the ISAC test. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-nine patients reporting immediate allergic reactions to latex were enrolled into the study (group A). The control group was comprised of 41 patien...

Latex allergy has become an occupational hazard among healthcare workers. Atopy and degree of exposure have been recognized as predisposing factors for latex sensitization. We investigated the prevalence of latex allergy and the potential risk factors for latex sensitization, by distributing a questionnaire to 284 employees of a general hospital in central Italy. We collected information about ...

PURPOSE To assess the validity of recommendations to avoid using cartridges for dental local anesthetic in patients with latex allergies. METHODS A MEDLINE search was conducted for the period 1966 to 2001, and relevant publications were reviewed for evidence of allergic reactions precipitated by latex in medication vials or cartridges for dental local anesthetic. RESULTS Twelve publications...

BACKGROUND Latex allergy is an important cause of occupational allergy. In many countries the prevalence of latex allergy is still high and the profile of latex sensitization is unknown. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the frequency of sensitization and allergy to latex in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele and to identify associated risk factors. METHODS The study included 55 children a...

Anaphylactic shock occurred in a 9-year-old myasthenic boy after induction of anesthesia for thymectomy. Resuscitation was successful. Subsequent skin testing identified latex as the cause. 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. Six months...

It has been reported that latex and extracts of different species of Ficus are cytotoxic to some human cancerous cell lines. In this study, cytotoxicity of fruit and leaf extracts as well as the latex of Ficus carica L. on HeLa cell line were evaluated. Ethanolic extracts of leaves and fruits were prepared through percolation and ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts were prepared by reflu...

natural rubber latex is the second most implicated agent in intraoperative anaphylactic reactions. this report describes a case of intraoperative anaphylaxis occurring in a non-atopic fourteen-year-old girl undergoing multiple surgical procedures, but without spina bifida, in which latex surgical gloves were the main culprit for the anaphylactic reactions. clinical manifestations of an anaphyla...