Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

Sensitization and Allergy to Natural Rubber Latex

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology

  • 260 Accesses

Synonyms

Caoutchouc; Latex allergy

Definition

While additives which are required for the manufacturing process and for stabilization of rubber (like the sulfur-containing vulcanizers (mercaptobenzothiazoles, carbamates, thiurams), antioxidants (amines), and rubber pigments) may induce an allergic late-phase (type IV) sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis (Shah and Chowdhury 2011), rubber products made from natural latex contain a small amount of proteins, which can induce immediate-type (type I) sensitization and allergic immediate-type symptoms. This entry will focus on sensitization and allergy to natural rubber latex produced from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis.

Historical Background

Latex is a sap-like extract which is derived from various plants. It is usually exuded upon tissue injury and has important functions involved in wound healing and antimicrobial defense. Latex contains a complex mixture of various biochemical compounds, e.g., proteins, resins, and gums. Some...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 849.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agarwal S, Gawkrodger DJ. Latex allergy: a health care problem of epidemic proportions. Eur J Dermatol. 2002;12:311–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco C, Carrillo T, Castillo R, Quiralte J, Cuevas M. Latex allergy: clinical features and cross-reactivity with fruits. Ann Allergy. 1994;73:309–14.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet J, Flahault A, Vandenplas O, Ameille J, Duron JJ, Pecquet C, Chevrie K, Annesi-Maesano I. Natural rubber latex allergy among health care workers: a systematic review of the evidence. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;118:447–54.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gimenez-Arnau A, Maurer M, De La Cuadra J, Maibach H. Immediate contact skin reactions, an update of contact urticaria, contact urticaria syndrome and protein contact dermatitis – “a never ending story”. Eur J Dermatol. 2010;20:552–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lasa Luaces EM, Tabar Purroy AI, García Figueroa BE, Anda Apiñaniz M, Sanz Laruga ML, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Barber HD. Component-resolved immunologic modifications, efficacy, and tolerance of latex sublingual immunotherapy in children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012;108:367–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mota AN, Turrini RN. Perioperative latex hypersensitivity reactions: an integrative literature review. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2012;20:411–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palosuo T, Antoniadou I, Gottrup F, Phillips P. Latex medical gloves: time for a reappraisal. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2011;156:234–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rihs HP, Ruëff F, Lundberg M, Rozynek P, Barber D, Scheurer S, Cisteró-Bahima A, Brüning T, Raulf-Heimsoth M. Relevance of the recombinant lipid transfer protein of hevea brasiliensis: IgE-binding reactivity in fruit-allergic adults. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97:643–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ring J, Meßmer K. Incidence and severity of anaphylactoid reactions to colloid volume substitutes. Lancet. 1977;1:466–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruëff F, Kienitz A, Schöpf P, Hartl WH, Andress HJ, Zaak D, Menninger M, Przybilla B. Frequency of natural rubber latex allergy in adults is increased after multiple operative procedures. Allergy. 2001;56:889–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruëff F, Schöpf P, Putz K, Przybilla B. Effect of reduced exposure on natural rubber latex sensitization in health care workers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2004;92:530–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shah D, Chowdhury MM. Rubber allergy. Clin Dermatol. 2011;29:278–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steinman H, Ruden S. Native & recombinant allergen components. Sweden: Phadia AB; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabar AI, Anda M, Gómez B, García B, Lizaso Mf MT, Echechipía S, Arroabarren E, Olaguibel JM. Treatment perspectives: immunotherapy with latex. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2002;30:163–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wrangsjö K, Boman A, Lidén C, Meding B. Primary prevention of latex allergy in healthcare-spectrum of strategies including the European glove standardization. Contact Dermatitis. 2012;66:165–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yeang HY. Natural rubber latex allergens: new developments. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;4:99–104.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Allergy Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Frauenlobstraße 9-11, D-80337, Munich, Germany

    Franziska Ruëff

Authors
  1. Franziska Ruëff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franziska Ruëff .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Ian R. Mackay

  2. Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Noel R. Rose

  3. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Dennis K. Ledford

  4. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Richard F. Lockey

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Cite this entry

Ruëff, F. (2014). Sensitization and Allergy to Natural Rubber Latex. In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_468

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_468

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9193-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9194-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation