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GENERAL ARTICLES

Latex Allergy Desensitization by Exposure Protocol: Five Case Reports

Department of Allergology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico "A. Gemelli," Rome, Italy

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Giampiero Patriarca, Department of Allergology, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Policlinico "A. Gemelli," Largo F. Vito, 1-00168 Rome, Italy. Address e-mail to giapatr{at}tin.it

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.

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