Latex allergy: past and present.

Full Abstract

Although latex products have been in use for over a century, allergic responses to latex proteins have only been recognized as a serious health problem for the past 15 years. Latex allergy particularly affects two groups, health care workers (HCW) and children with spina bifida (SB). This manuscript provides a brief history of latex allergy, and a review of the following: the manufacturing process for dipped latex products, the 11 latex allergens that have been characterized and received allergen designations by the International Union of Immunological Societies, the methods used in exposure assessment, the epidemiology and clinical management of latex allergy, and the use of animal models in investigating mechanisms underlying latex allergy.

Author information

Author/s: Meade, B Jean (BJ); Weissman, David N (DN); Beezhold, Donald H (DH);

Affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. bhm8(-atsign-)cdc.gov

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Feb; vol 2 (issue 2-3) : pp 225-38

Dates: Created 2002/01/28; Completed 2002/08/05; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 11811927, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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