Latex Hypersensitivity: Two Case Reports

For persons hypersensitive to latex, continued exposure may result in a life-threatening situation. Since 1979 reports appeared supporting evidence of urticaria, rhinitis, asthma, and anaphylaxis in association with latex exposure. We present two cases of latex hypersensitivity, patients who reacted to latex on skin-prick and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST). A 30-year-old surgeon developed reactions to latex gloves. On skin-prick testing to latex extract in saline, he was 4+. RAST latex antigen-specific IgE was 50.75 times control. The second case is that of a 24-year-old nurse who underwent multiple corrective surgeries for congenital birth defects and experienced reactions to latex. On skin-prick testing to an extract of latex in saline, she was 2+. RAST latex antigen-specific IgE was 23.37 times control. Both patients were given epinephrine and diphenhydramine and advised to use latex-free gloves and to avoid latex products. As health care personnel contact with latex products increases because of new guidelines for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, more adverse reactions in this subpopulation will occur.