Latex Allergy: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Eleonora Nucera,* Arianna Aruanno,* Angela Rizzi,* Michele Centrone* Allergy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Eleonora NuceraAllergy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, Largo F. Vito, 1, Rome 00168, ItalyEmail [email protected]: Allergy to natural rubber latex (NRLA) from Hevea brasiliensis is a relevant public health issue, in particular in healthcare workers and groups at risk. Clinical manifestations of NRLA can range from mild skin disorders to life-threatening systemic reactions. Prevention measures remain the gold-standard treatment for patients suffering from NRLA, but the only etiological therapy able to influence the natural history of NRLA is specific desensitization. This review aims to underline the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic aspects of NRLA, and carries out a complete and wide-ranging review of the current literature on NRLA management and immunotherapy.Keywords: latex, immunotherapy, desensitization

Keywords

• latex
• immunotherapy
• desensitization.