Doctors talked about the risks of latex allergy

Latex obtained from the milky juice of Hevea brasilica is widely used in medicine and industry due to its elasticity and protective properties. However, as noted in a study published in the journal Russian Medical Journal (BC), it is a common cause of allergic reactions, including in medical professionals and patients with chronic pathologies.

According to the authors, the first mentions of latex intolerance date back to the beginning of the 20th century, when cases of urticaria and occupational asthma were recorded. To date, the prevalence of sensitization is estimated to range from 1 to 7.6%. The risk group includes people with a hereditary predisposition, as well as with atopic diseases.

"The clinical manifestations of latex allergy can range from skin itching and urticaria to systemic reactions up to anaphylaxis," the article says.

Researchers pay special attention to medical personnel, whose frequency of allergic reactions reaches almost 10%. The increase in cases began in the 1980s amid the proliferation of latex gloves used to protect against viral infections. In addition to doctors, cleaners, hairdressers and workers in the rubber industry are at risk, but these categories have a lower incidence.

An increased likelihood of sensitization has been noted in children with congenital malformations, especially with multiple surgical interventions. In this group, the risk reaches 65-80%.

The clinical picture depends on the pathway of the allergen. Aerogenic reactions are often associated with starch, which is used in gloves as a spray agent and is able to transfer latex proteins. Contact urticaria is most common and often precedes the development of respiratory symptoms. The cross-over "latex-fruit syndrome" is highlighted, in which reactions occur to bananas, avocados, kiwis and chestnuts.

The article indicates that more than 240 protein structures have been identified in latex, 60 of which are capable of binding to human IgE. The most significant are Hev b1, Hev b3 and Hev b6, associated with severe systemic reactions. Sensitization to Hev b 5 and Hev b 6 proteins, which are released from gloves along with the carrier powder, is more common in healthcare workers.

According to the publication, treatment tactics include elimination measures — avoiding contact with latex and using alternative materials. In recent years, the introduction of powder-free gloves has reduced the prevalence of allergies among doctors by almost three times. Patients with severe reactions are advised to carry an autoinjector with adrenaline. The possibility of using monoclonal antibodies to IgE and allergen-specific immunotherapy is being discussed in clinical practice.

Denis Aksenov, a doctor of the highest qualification category, pediatrician, neonatologist, anesthesiologist-resuscitator and expert of the educational project on blood and plasma donation "+Ya", said on August 26 that mosquito bites are not only a source of discomfort such as itching and irritation, but can also provoke health-threatening consequences, including severe allergic reactions and even severe diseases. In Russia, the risk of such infection is lower than in tropical regions, but it still exists.

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