Anaphylaxis to latex during surgery

Abstract

SummaryFive young women, all of whom had anaphylactic responses in operating units, are described. Three of them worked in a hospital, three showed immediate hypersensitivity to fruit and all had known urticaria to latex. Anaphylaxis appeared progressively 15 to 30 minutes after injection of anaesthetic drugs. Skin tests with these drugs were negative. Skin prick tests through gloves and with four different allergen preparations (saline which had been incubated with gloves and three kinds of latex) were positive. Human basophil degranulation tests with all four allergens were positive and radio allergo sorbent tests to latex were also positive. IgEdependent allergy to latex may be investigated by questionnaire and if necessary by prick tests before each operation to prevent anaphylaxis due to surgical gloves.

Occupational asthma caused by natural rubber latex

“…By contrast, mucosal, visceral and parenteral exposure usually lead to more severe systemic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions have been described during gynaecological, surgical and dental procedures [47][48][49][50][51], as well as during barium enema examinations using NRL balloon-tipped catheters [52,53]. The possibility that glove-powder particles act as carriers of NRL allergens was first suggested by LAGIER et al [5] and BAUR and JAEGER [6] based on inhalation challenges.…”

Anaphylactic reactions during paediatric anaesthesia; results of the survey of the French Society of Paediatric Anaesthetists (ADARPEF) 1991–1992

“…The frequency of an anaphylactic reaction was very low in clinical practice until recently, but an increased occurrence of anaphylactic reactions to latex has been reported during the past Leynadier, Pecquet & Dry 1989;Slater 1989;Moneret-Vautrin, Laxenaire & Bavoux 1990;Slater et al 1990;Swartz et ~l . 1990a;Gaignon, Veyckemans & Gribomont 1991;Gold et al 1991;Setlock & Kelly 1991;Bach 1992;DAstous, Drouin & Wine 1992;Meehan, Galina & Daftari 1992;Sethna ef al.…”

Cataract surgery for natural rubber latex allergic patients

“…The uptake of NRL proteins by the immune system can occur via a respiratory route via aeroallergens, by transdermal passage, especially if the barrier function of the skin has been compromised, 17 or via a parenteral route. [46][47][48] The severity of the immediate type reactions is dependent on the clinical sensitivity of the patient and the dose of allergen challenge. There has been a lot of research into the possible ways of reducing the severity of aeroallergen challenge, since it is this exposure route which is associated with the more severe allergic reactions, with much of this work concentrating on air filter systems and the use of powder-free gloves.…”