Title:Latex Allergy – From Discovery to Component-resolved Diagnosis
Volume: 24
Issue: 5
Author(s): Teresa Loverre*, Rossella Casella, Andrea Miniello, Danilo Di Bona and Eustachio Nettis
Affiliation:
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
Keywords:
Latex, allergy, basophil activation, flow cytometry, patch test, skin prick test, ige-assays, natural rubber.
Abstract: Latex allergy is a hypersensitivity response to natural rubber latex (NRL) proteins or
rubber chemicals used in the manufacture of latex products. An accurate diagnosis is the first step
in the effective management of individuals with latex allergy, especially in high-risk groups, such
as healthcare workers and those affected by spina bifida. Diagnosis is based on the clinical history
and an accurate allergological evaluation. In the case of type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions,
which can manifest urticaria, angioedema, rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and anaphylaxis after
latex exposure, skin prick tests or latex-specific IgE (sIgE) antibody detection using serological
assays can be performed to confirm sensitization. Instead, in the case of contact dermatitis, a patch
test can be applied to confirm the presence of a type IV T cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction to
rubber accelerators or additives. Basophils activation tests or challenge tests may be performed if
there’s an incongruity between the clinical history and the results of in vivo and in vitro tests. The
aim of this review is to analyze the current state of the art of diagnostic techniques for latex allergy
and algorithms employed in clinical practice and possible future developments in this field.
