Allergy to latex - current state of problem

Abstract

During the last 20 years the incidence of sensitization to latex proteins is growing. Allergy to latex is found predominantly in persons, professionally contacting with latex products: medical workers, workers employed in the manufacture of rubber products and food workers. This review describes the main clinical symptoms of latex allergy, characteristics of structural proteins and their basic biological functions. Modern methods of diagnostics and approaches to the application of specific immunotherapy for allergy to latex are presented.