[Latex proteins as the trigger of respiratory and systemic allergies]

56 patients (52 members of the hospital's staff, four with other employment) who had hypersensitivity reactions to latex articles and developed an immediate-type response to latex extract with the skin-prick test were studied. Specific IgE antibodies were present in the enzyme-allergo-sorbent test of 50 of the subjects. Latex-containing surgical and household gloves were the main cause of allergies. Patients with isolated contact urticaria (n = 8) had a tendency towards lower antibody concentrations than those with additional respiratory and/or systemic symptoms (n = 48). Occupation-related provocation tests triggered rhinitis in 19, conjunctivitis in ten, and bronchial obstruction in six. The main allergen was found to be a protein with a relative molecular mass of 58,000, originating from the latex milk and passing from the latex glove into the glove powder. In the course of usual activities considerable allergen inhalation can occur. Even small amounts (e.g. 400 ng/ml) can precipitate significant allergic reactions. The results show that the main latex allergen, a glycine-rich protein molecule, can cause cutaneous, inhalant and systemic hypersensitivity reactions.