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Related Experiment Videos

Latex allergy and skin.

Timo Reunala1, Harri Alenius, Kristiina Turjanmaa

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. timo.reunala@uta.fi

Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|September 7, 2004
PubMed
Summary

The prevalence of latex allergy in healthcare workers (HCWs) appears to be declining, with low-allergen gloves reducing sensitization. Interventions and identifying major allergens like Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.01 are key for prevention.

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Area of Science:

  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Occupational Health
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Latex allergy is a significant concern for healthcare workers (HCWs).
  • Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergens and immunotherapy trials are areas of recent interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence and outcomes of latex allergy in HCWs.
  • To discuss recent findings on NRL allergens and specific immunotherapy (SIT).

Main Methods:

  • Review of prevalence studies using skin prick tests (SPT) and questionnaires in HCWs and other populations.
  • Analysis of intervention studies on glove use and allergen levels.
  • Examination of research on specific NRL allergens (Hev b 2, 5, 6.01, 13) and murine models.
  • Assessment of outcomes from SIT trials.

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Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates of latex allergy in HCWs vary (1.9% in Russia/adjacent countries, 0.6% in Wales/USA).
  • Interventions with low-allergen gloves reduced NRL allergy incidence.
  • Outcomes for latex-allergic HCWs are generally good.
  • Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.01 are identified as major in vivo NRL allergens.

Conclusions:

  • The peak of the latex allergy epidemic in HCWs may have passed.
  • Hospital-wide interventions with low-allergen or non-latex gloves are effective for prevention.
  • Standardized latex SPT reagents are needed in the USA.
  • NRL proteins may cause hand eczema, and SIT remains experimental.