Allergy and desensitization to latex. Clinical study on 50 dentistry subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Nowadays latex allergy represents a relevant social and occupational problem because this substance constitutes the first material to realise many dental and non dental products; then, there is a cross-reactivity between latex allergens and proteins present in many vegetal foods. The aim of our research was to find latex allergy cases experimenting a percutaneous desensitization protocol.


METHODS
Among 50 examined subjects, those patients resulting positive to thiuram-mix by patch test have been submitted to desensitization after removal of all latex products and substances giving cross-allergy (kiwi, celery, chestnuts, tomato, banana etc.). Desensitization has been carried out by using latex glove from 10 s progressively to 1 h after 1-year treatment.


RESULTS
In 7 patients out of 11 (63.6%) regression of symptoms has been verified; 2 patients (18.2%) have declined treatment and 2 patients (18.2%) have showed no regression.


CONCLUSIONS
Apart immunotherapy and DNA-vaccines, nowadays percutaneous desensitization is the most efficacious, safe and easy treatment for latex allergic patients; it has no collateral effects during its execution and no symptoms coming back to work, but it needs further verifications.
Unit of Dental Prosthesis, Department of Dentistry La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
I
I
Vozza
G
G
Ranghi
A
A
Quaranta
D000328:Adult; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male