Latex allergy

Natural rubber latex (NRL) is a product derived from the cytosol of the commercial rubber tree, Heve brasiliensi. The essential functional unit in latex is a rubber particle, a spherical droplet of cis-1,4-polyisoprene that is coated by a layer of protein, lipid and phospholipid. Durin processing and production more than 200 different chemicals are added in order to improve product properties. About 90% of harvested rubber is processed by acid coagulation and the formed rubber products contain few latex proteins. The remaining 10% of harvested rubber is non coagulated and ammoniated, and it is used in manufacturing "dipped" rubber products such as gloves, condoms, and balloons. Currently, more than 40,000 articles on the market ar NRL made. Sice the beginning of the eighties there has been an increased number of reports about IgE-mediated allergy. Clinical symptoms of latex allergy range from urticaria, conjunctivitis and rhinitis to asthma and anaphylactic shock. Health care workers (HCW) children with spina bifida (SB), workers in industries that manifacture latex , are known to be the highest risk populations. A better knowledge of allergenic proteins and the productions of purified NRL allergens will be useful o develop more specific extracts for skin test and in vitro studies, improving diagnostic procedures. Measurement of natural rubber latex allergens in medical gloves and airborne disoered latex allergens in the workplace would be helpful for preventive purposes.