title: Latex allergy: past and present.
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.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. bhm8@cdc.gov
authors.forename: B Jean
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Meade
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Beezhold
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000145:classification; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007840:Latex; D012408:Rubber