Biomaterial Database

Prevalence of latex-specific IgE antibodies in patients being evaluated for allergy. 1995

G Reinheimer, and D R Ownby

Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of detectable latex-specific IgE in patients being evaluated for allergy. METHODS The AlaSTAT assay was used to test for latex-specific IgE in 200 consecutive serum samples sent to our laboratory for total IgE levels. Samples sent for latex-specific IgE were excluded. The population studied included 87 males and 113 females ranging in age from 1 to 82 years of age. Inhibition studies with a latex extract were performed on all positive samples. Chart reviews and questionnaires provided information regarding risk factors for latex allergy and reactions to latex. RESULTS Twenty-four (12%) subjects were positive for latex-specific IgE. Seventeen of the 24 positive subjects (70.8%) were < 18 years of age and all of the strongly positive subjects (7 or 3.5%) were < 18 years of age. The geometric means for total IgE for the latex positive and negative subjects were 351 IU/mL and 80 IU/mL respectively, P < .001. The mean percent inhibition with latex was 66%. Chart reviews and questionnaires revealed only 2 of 24 positive subjects were in high risk groups, none of the positive subjects had any history of reactions to latex, and 22 (91.6%) had evidence of atopic disease. CONCLUSIONS In vitro tests may detect latex specific IgE in atopic individuals, especially children, with no history of recurrent latex exposure and no history of adverse reactions to latex.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006967	Hypersensitivity	Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.	Allergy,Allergic Reaction,Allergic Reactions,Allergies,Hypersensitivities,Reaction, Allergic,Reactions, Allergic
D007073	Immunoglobulin E	An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE).	IgE
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D007840	Latex	A milky, product excreted from the latex canals of a variety of plant species that contain cauotchouc. Latex is composed of 25-35% caoutchouc, 60-75% water, 2% protein, 2% resin, 1.5% sugar & 1% ash. RUBBER is made by the removal of water from latex.(From Concise Encyclopedia Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3rd ed). Hevein proteins are responsible for LATEX HYPERSENSITIVITY. Latexes are used as inert vehicles to carry antibodies or antigens in LATEX FIXATION TESTS.	Latices,Latice
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005260	Female		Females