New developments in latex allergy.

There are several new developments in studies of latex allergy. It appears that many of the allergens to latex are defense proteins that the plant uses to respond to pathogens. Rubber elongation factor, hevein preprotein, hevamine, patatin, and glucanase have been identified as allergic proteins. In addition, processing and leaching of natural rubber latex devices results in a very low allergen content. Powdered rubber gloves appear to be a major contributor to airborne latex allergens. The replacement of low allergen-containing latex gloves for high allergen-containing gloves markedly reduces the levels of latex allergens in the clinical setting. By decreasing the inhalation and contact with latex allergens, we would expect a reduction in latex sensitization in the hospital.