TY - JOUR
T1 - Latex allergy desensitization by exposure protocol: five case reports
AU - Patriarca, Giampiero
AU - Nucera, Eleonora
AU - Buonomo, Alessandro
AU - Del Ninno, M
AU - Roncallo, Chiara
AU - Pollastrini, Emanuela
AU - De Pasquale, Tiziana Maria Angela
AU - Milani, Alessandro
AU - Schiavino, Domenico
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Two clinical reports dealing with subcutaneous desensitization to latex are available, but these treatments were reported to have significant side effects. To investigate an alternative method for latex desensitization, we present five cases of immunoglobulin E-mediated latex allergy in which a specific desensitization was successfully performed by means of an original exposure protocol. Five female patients with proven latex allergy underwent an original contact desensitization by wearing latex gloves daily, progressively increasing exposure to latex. All patients reached a final latex exposure time of 60 min in both hands. The desensitization protocol was completely successful in all patients. Twelve months after the beginning of the desensitization program, all the treated subjects were able to wear latex gloves daily without any clinical manifestations. This study provides evidence that a successful contact desensitization to latex is possible with no side effects. The adopted exposure protocol seems to be completely safe and effective. However, further studies in larger groups of subjects are necessary to fully confirm these preliminary results. IMPLICATIONS: We present five patients with latex allergy who underwent desensitization by a new cutaneous exposure protocol. This study provides evidence that a safe therapeutic approach to latex allergy is possible.
AB - Two clinical reports dealing with subcutaneous desensitization to latex are available, but these treatments were reported to have significant side effects. To investigate an alternative method for latex desensitization, we present five cases of immunoglobulin E-mediated latex allergy in which a specific desensitization was successfully performed by means of an original exposure protocol. Five female patients with proven latex allergy underwent an original contact desensitization by wearing latex gloves daily, progressively increasing exposure to latex. All patients reached a final latex exposure time of 60 min in both hands. The desensitization protocol was completely successful in all patients. Twelve months after the beginning of the desensitization program, all the treated subjects were able to wear latex gloves daily without any clinical manifestations. This study provides evidence that a successful contact desensitization to latex is possible with no side effects. The adopted exposure protocol seems to be completely safe and effective. However, further studies in larger groups of subjects are necessary to fully confirm these preliminary results. IMPLICATIONS: We present five patients with latex allergy who underwent desensitization by a new cutaneous exposure protocol. This study provides evidence that a safe therapeutic approach to latex allergy is possible.
KW - Adult
KW - Desensitization, Immunologic
KW - Humans
KW - Immunoglobulin E
KW - Latex Hypersensitivity
KW - Adult
KW - Desensitization, Immunologic
KW - Humans
KW - Immunoglobulin E
KW - Latex Hypersensitivity
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/25779
M3 - Article
SN - 0003-2999
VL - 94
SP - 754-754-8; table of contents
JO - Anesthesia and Analgesia
JF - Anesthesia and Analgesia
ER -