Latex allergy in a dental nurse: Late nasal response is associated with eosinophil recruitment and T helper 2 cell type cytokine mRNA expression

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The occupational uses of latex gloves may be associated with allergic rhinitis. Hypersensitivity to latex has been shown to be IgE-mediated. However, late nasal responses to latex have not been reported. The present report describes a clinical and immunological study of a dental nurse with work-related rhinitis induced by the use of latex gloves. To examine whether late nasal symptoms were associated with infiltration of T cells and eosinophils and also with preferential expression of T helper 2 (Th2) cell type cytokine mRNA, nasal biopsies were performed before and 24 h after latex provocation and were processed for immunohistology and in situ hybridization. Latex induced early and late nasal responses. After latex provocation, the numbers of T cells and eosinophils were markedly increased compared with number on the control day. In situ hybridization confirmed Th2 type cytokine mRNA expression at 24 h after latex provocation. These results suggest that latex provokes IgE-mediated early and late nasal responses and that late nasal symptoms are associated with an infiltration of T cells and eosinohils and the production of Th2 type cytokines.