Latex Allergy: An Update

Abstract

The rate of latex sensitization has been increasing since its first recognition in 1979, and anesthesiologists encounter patients with a diagnosis of latex allergy more and more often (1). Latex is a ubiquitous material that is found in balloons, condoms, and many surgical and nonsurgical products. Anesthesiologists, like many other types of physicians who often wear latex gloves, may also become sensitized to latex (2,3), and there are cases of disability of health care professionals because of latex allergy (4,5). Latex anaphylaxis may lead to significant morbidity, and deaths have been reported (4,5). It is essential to recognize which patients and colleagues are sensitized to latex to provide appropriate treatment and to establish adequate prevention. The purpose of this article is to review recent findings and developments on latex allergy. This article reviews the general concepts of latex allergy in the perioperative setting and specifically addresses natural rubber latex (NRL) proteins, reactions associated with NRL, and high-risk groups for developing latex allergy. In addition, we discuss the diagnosis, management, and prevention of latex allergy and conclude with a discussion of future therapies. The literature was searched using Medline from 1966 until July 2002. A literature search with the key words anesthesia, anesthesiology, operating room (OR) or surgery, and latex, latex allergy, or latex hypersensitivity produced 80 articles. The references of these manuscripts were reviewed to identify other relevant articles. Finally, additional references were identified from reviews and abstracts on latex allergy from the allergy and clinical immunology literature from the last 5 yr. NRL: Description, Proteins, and