latex allergy

Epidemiology

• 10-11% of health care workers
• latex proteins are aerosolized with corn starch glove powder
• powderless gloves reduce latex aerosolized dispersal
• common cause of intra-operative anaphylaxis
• concurrent allergies common:
  • avocado, banana, kiwi, pear, pineapple, grape, apricot, papaya
  • these & other fruits share antigens with latex

Pathology

allergy to latex may cause:

• hand dermatitis
• rhinoconjunctivitis
• asthma
• anaphylaxis

Laboratory

• increased serum tryptase
• antibodies to latex (immunoassay, commercially available)
  • Latex IgE Ab in serum
    • Latex glove extract IgE Ab in serum
  • Latex IgG Ab in serum
    • - Latex IgG4 Ab in serum

Management

• avoidance of latex
• latex-free gloves
• coworkers must use washed powderless gloves if latex
• Ana-kit (EpiPen)

More general terms

• type 1 hypersensitivity; immediate hypersensitivity (allergy)

Additional terms

• latex