Evaluation of Latex-Specific IgE and Skin Test Results in Patients with Suspected Latex Allergy

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate latex sensitization in patients referred for suspected latex allergy.
Methods: This retrospective study included 177 patients with suspected latex allergy who were evaluated for latex sensitization. Patients were categorized according to the indication for latex-specific IgE testing, and latex-specific IgE results were compared across groups, with a separate evaluation performed in the subgroup of healthcare workers.
Results: In this study, 177 patients underwent latex-specific IgE testing, with a mean age of 39.18 ± 13.10 years (range, 19–81 years); 134 patients (75.7%) were female, and latex-specific IgE positivity was detected in 33 patients (18.6%). Latex skin prick test was performed in 53 patients, and positive results were observed in 9 (16.9%). Latex patch test was performed in 10 patients, and all latex patch test results were negative.  The indications for latex-specific IgE testing were evaluation for latex–fruit syndrome in 82 patients (46.3%), latex-related symptoms following direct contact with latex-containing products in 53 patients (29.9%), and occupational or environmental exposure to latex-containing products in 42 patients (23.7%). The indication for testing was significantly associated with latex-specific IgE status (p=0.007). Symptoms following direct latex contact were more common with positive latex-specific IgE results. Healthcare workers comprised 29.4% of the study population (n=52). Latex-specific IgE positivity was detected in 17.3% of healthcare workers (n=9).
Conclusions: Reactions following direct contact with latex-containing products were associated with latex-specific IgE positivity and may help identify patients more likely to have latex sensitization.

Keywords

• Latex allergy
• Latex sensitization
• Latex skin tests
• Latex-specific IgE

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethics committee before data collection was initiated (approval number: 2024-BÇEK/49; approval date: 11 March 2026).

References

1. Parisi CAS, Kelly KJ, Ansotegui IJ, Gonzalez-Díaz SN, Bilò MB, Cardona V, et al. Update on latex allergy: new insights into an old problem. World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Aug;14(8):100569. doi:10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100569.
2. Kelly KJ, Sussman G. Latex allergy: where are we now and how did we get there? J allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(5):1212–6. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.029.
3. Pesonen M, Koskela K, Aalto-Korte K. Contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis in the finnish register of occupational diseases in a period of 12 years. Contact Dermatitis. 2020 Jul;83(1):1–7. doi:10.1111/cod.13547.
4. Cabañes N, Igea JM, de la Hoz B, Agustín P, Blanco C, Domínguez J, et al. Latex allergy: position paper. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2012;22(5):313–30; quiz follow 330. PMID: 23101306.
5. Dejonckheere G, Herman A, Baeck M. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by synthetic rubber gloves in healthcare workers: sensitization to 1,3-diphenylguanidine is common. Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Sep;81(3):167–73. doi:10.1111/cod.13269.
6. Vandenplas O, Froidure A, Meurer U, Rihs H-P, Rifflart C, Soetaert S, et al. The role of allergen components for the diagnosis of latex-induced occupational asthma. Allergy. 2016 Jun;71(6):840–9. doi:10.1111/all.12872.
7. Poley GEJ, Slater JE. Latex allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Jun;105(6 Pt 1):1054–62. doi:10.1067/mai.2000.106925.
8. Raulf M. Current state of occupational latex allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Apr;20(2):112–6. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000611.

9. Fukutomi Y. Occupational food allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019 Jun;19(3):243–8. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000530.
10. Johansen JD, Aalto-Korte K, Agner T, Andersen KE, Bircher A, Bruze M, et al. European Society of Contact Dermatitis guideline for diagnostic patch testing - recommendations on best practice. Contact Dermatitis. 2015 Oct;73(4):195–221. doi:10.1111/cod.12432.
11. Laurino EF, Lynch FC, Labanca VD, Capurro Merea DM, López Iglesias CM, Lavrut AJ, et al. Prevalence of latex sensitivity and allergy among physicians of a residency program in a children´s hospital of Buenos Aires. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2020 Oct;118(5):337–42. doi:10.5546/aap.2020.eng.337.
12. Floyd PT. Latex allergy update. J perianesthesia Nurs Off J Am Soc PeriAnesthesia Nurses. 2000 Feb;15(1):26–30. doi:10.1016/s1089-9472(00)97284-8.
13. Vangveeravong M, Sirikul J, Daengsuwan T. Latex allergy in dental students: a cross-sectional study. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011 Aug;94 Suppl 3:S1-8. PMID: 22043747.
14. Bousquet J, Flahault A, Vandenplas O, Ameille J, Duron J-J, Pecquet C, et al. Natural rubber latex allergy among health care workers: a systematic review of the evidence. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Aug;118(2):447–54. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.03.048.
15. Kahn SL, Podjasek JO, Dimitropoulos VA, Brown CWJ. Natural rubber latex allergy. Dis Mon. 2016 Jan;62(1):5–17. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.11.002.
16. Saxon A, Ownby D, Huard T, Parsad R, Roth HD. Prevalence of IgE to natural rubber latex in unselected blood donors and performance characteristics of AlaSTAT testing. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2000 Feb;84(2):199–206. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)62756-1.
17. Blaabjerg MSB, Andersen KE, Bindslev-Jensen C, Mortz CG. Decrease in the rate of sensitization and clinical allergy to natural rubber latex. Contact Dermatitis. 2015 Jul;73(1):21–8. doi:10.1111/cod.12386.
18. Wudy AE, Negro C, Adami A, Larese Filon F. Atopic status and latex sensitization in a cohort of 1,628 students of health care faculties. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;118(5):603-7. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2017.03.002.
19. Chen Y-H, Lan J-L. Latex allergy and latex-fruit syndrome among medical workers in Taiwan. J Formos Med Assoc. 2002 Sep;101(9):622–6. PMID: 12645189.
20. Isola S, Ricciardi L, Saitta S, Fedele R, Mazzeo L, Fogliani O, et al. Latex allergy and fruit cross-reaction in subjects who are nonatopic. Allergy asthma Proc. 2003;24(3):193–7. PMID: 12866323.
21. Blanco C. Latex-fruit syndrome. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2003 Jan;3(1):47–53. doi:10.1007/s11882-003-0012-y.
22. Gromek W, Kołdej N, Świtała S, Majsiak E, Kurowski M. Revisiting latex-fruit syndrome after 30 years of research: a comprehensive literature review and description of two cases. J Clin Med. 2024 Jul;13(14):4222. doi:10.3390/jcm13144222.
23. Aksoy H, Akdeniz N, Karakurt F. Prevalence of type I allergy to latex and type IV allergy to rubber additives in Turkish healthcare workers. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2023;13(3):e2023187. doi:10.5826/dpc.1303a187.
24. Köse S, Mandiracioğlu A, Tatar B, Gül S, Erdem M. Prevalence of latex allergy among healthcare workers in Izmir (Turkey). Cent Eur J Public Health. 2014 Dec;22(4):262–5. doi:10.21101/cejph.a3912.