Epidemiology

There are several explanations for the recent epidemic of latex allergy. After the introduction of universal precautions for human immunodeficiency virus, use of natural rubber latex gloves increased. The increased demand for gloves may have temporarily changed manufacturing procedures, resulting in a poor-quality, highly allergenic product. Increased awareness of latex allergy has resulted in more numerous reports [5] of this allergy during the last 6 years.

Presently, the incidence of latex sensitization is unknown. The prevalence of latex allergy in the general nonatopic population is believed to be less than 1%. Latex sensitivity has been reported in 1 of 800 patients (0.125%) before surgery [6]. However, the prevalence of latex allergy in children with spina bifida ranges from 28% to 67% [5]. Mucosal absorption of latex allergens during multiple surgical procedures done early in life may have sensitized these children. The prevalence of latex allergy in health care workers is between 7% and 10% [7, 8]. Health care workers with atopic allergy have been reported [8] to have a 24% prevalence of a positive result from latex skin-prick testing. Fifty percent (5 of 10) of patients in this study [8] were clinically asymptomatic. The risk for subsequent development of latex allergy in this group is unknown.

Eczematous hand dermatitis disrupts the skin barrier and may predispose persons to latex allergy. A progression may occur from localized (hand) to generalized (anaphylactic) allergic responses [9]. Areas with significant airborne latex allergens (operating rooms, intensive care units, and dental suites) may sensitize health care workers who inhale allergenic proteins [10-12].

Clinical Latex Allergy

Irritant contact dermatitis, the most common clinical manifestation of latex allergy, is a nonallergic cutaneous response that manifests as dry, crusted lesions in latex glove-exposed areas. Prolonged and repeated latex exposure is aggravated by sweating and rubbing under the glove, leading to papular and ulcerative lesions [1].

Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to rubber additives (thiurams, mercaptobenzothiazole, carbamates) [13]. The acute phase of the reaction occurs 48 to 96 hours after exposure, affects the dorsum of the hands, and is characterized by vesicular skin lesions. With continued latex exposure, these skin lesions develop a crusted, thickened appearance.

Immunoglobulin E-mediated latex allergy may be locally visible as contact urticaria [14] or may present as occupational rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma [3, 12]. Anaphylactic reactions have most often been caused by exposure to the surgeon's latex gloves during abdominal or genitourinary surgery or by other sources of mucosal exposure to latex (barium enema, dental procedures) [3-5]. Anaphylaxis has been reported less often from latex exposure that occurs when health care workers put on gloves or work in a latex-laden environment.

Identification and Management of Latex Allergy

The prevention of adverse latex reactions depends on identification of patients who are allergic. A careful and complete history will not identify all persons at risk for latex allergy. The latex skin-prick test is a sensitive indicator of IgE sensitization, but a standardized latex extract that can be used in this test is presently not available. Latex skin-prick testing of extremely allergic persons using commercially available extracts has been safe [3, 6-8]. However, five [15, 16] anaphylactic episodes occurring after the use of extracts prepared from latex gloves or after the use of certain skin test reagents have been reported. Extracts prepared from latex gloves have variable allergenic potency, and skin-prick testing appears to have an increased risk for adverse reactions. Latex skin-prick tests should therefore be done cautiously starting with very diluted (1:1 million) extracts of the stock testing solution. This should only be done in an allergy center familiar with the test. Full emergency equipment must be available to treat possible systemic reactions. In vitro testing for latex protein-specific IgE antibodies (using radioallergosorbent tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western blots) reportedly identifies 50% to 60% of persons with IgE sensitivity [17].

The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology has published guidelines [18] for providing care to persons with latex allergy. A flow chart for management of latex aller-gy is shown in Figure 1. Key points include the following:

1. All persons at risk for latex allergy should have a careful history and should complete a standardized latex allergy questionnaire (Table 1).

View larger version (23K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Overview of the identification and management of persons with latex allergy. Patients are divided into those with positive or negative histories and those with positive or negative results from skin testing, and a management outcome for these patients is given. Patients with negative histories do not receive skin testing unless they are categorized as high risk. RAST = radioallergosorbent testing; SPT = skin-prick testing.

3. A latex-free environment is defined as one in which there is no latex glove use by any personnel. In addition, no direct patient contact should occur with other latex devices (catheters, condoms, adhesives, tourniquets, and anesthetic equipment).

4. Procedures on children with spina bifida should be done in a latex-free environment (Table 2).

5. Procedures on all patients with positive skin test results should be done in a latex-free environment.

Treatment of Latex Allergy

Patients with an irritant latex reaction should eliminate unnecessary glove use. Cotton liners or barrier creams can be effective treatments. Patients who have contact dermatitis (type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction) to latex additives should be appropriately diagnosed by patch testing. The implicated allergen should be avoided by changing to a different glove [1].

Patients with a negative history for latex allergy but with a positive result from latex skin testing or radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) or both should have a latex glove challenge test called a "use test" [19]. Patients with a positive latex challenge result should wear nonlatex gloves (Table 2). Patients with a negative challenge test result who have a positive result from latex skin testing or radioallergosorbent testing may tolerate low-protein latex glove use, but these patients should not have mucosal latex exposure during surgery or medical procedures.

Patients with symptomatic latex allergy often present with severe allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma that require them to leave their workplace. Although it is known that latex proteins are the responsible allergens, cornstarch glove powder has an important role. Latex proteins are easily absorbed by glove powder and are aerosolized at levels similar to those of other occupational respiratory allergens [10-12]. Complete removal of powdered latex gloves has resulted in undetectable levels of airborne latex particles. When all their coworkers switch to using powder-free latex gloves, health care workers with latex allergies have been able to return to their workplace [12].

In 1991, latex and banana were reported to be cross-reactive. Patients with latex allergy have subsequently presented with allergies to avocado, kiwi, and chestnut [20]. Clinically, these patients often have perioral itching and local urticaria, and they occasionally have been reported to have life-threatening, food-induced anaphylactic shock. The observed cross-reactivity of latex with avocado, kiwi, and chestnut probably occurs because latex proteins are structurally homologous with other plant proteins.

Latex is ubiquitous in the medical environment, and health care workers encounter these allergens by multiple routes, including compromised skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Once sensitized, these health care workers are at risk for severe systemic allergic reactions. The antigenic protein level on latex rubber devices should be reduced to prevent further sensitization and allergic reactions [21]. Low-allergen latex gloves are available [22], and most manufacturers are working to lower protein levels. As cleaner products are brought to market, the incidence of new sensitization and adverse reactions is expected to decrease.