“Latex‐fruit syndrome”: frequency of cross‐reacting IgE antibodies

Abstract

An association between allergies to latex proteins and to various foods has been reported and confirmed by RAST and immunoblotting inhibition. However, no significant data had been collected on the frequency of specific IgE antibodies to fruits in these patients and the frequency of a history of fruit intolerance. Serum samples of 136 patients with well-documented, clinically relevant, immediate-type hypersensitivity against latex proteins were analyzed for IgE antibodies against a panel of different fruits. Patient history of food intolerance was documented by a standardized questionnaire. Fruit-specific IgE antibodies were detected in 69.1% of serum samples. Cross-reacting IgE antibodies recognizing latex and fruit allergens (papaya, avocado, banana, chestnut, passion fruit, fig, melon, mango, kiwi, pineapple, peach, and tomato) were demonstrated by RAST-inhibition tests. Of our patients, 42.5% reported allergic symptoms after ingestion of these fruits and a total of 112 intolerance reactions were recorded. However, fruit-specific IgE antibodies were detected only in serum samples from 32.1% of the patients who perceived symptoms due to these fruits. Thus, serologic tests seem to be of low significance for prediction o food allergy in latex-allergic patients.

Alergia ao látex e a frutas em profissionais da área da saúde

“…Os fatores compreendidos como de risco, envolvidos na ocorrência de reações alérgicas mediadas por IgE, vão desde uma história clínica que demonstra sensibilidade ao látex, como a existência de dermatite de contato, ou eczema nas mãos, ou, ainda, edema ou prurido após contato com produtos de borracha 25,26 , um quadro de alergia alimentar, principalmente a frutas 27,28 , até a atopia 29 . Aichane et al (1997) 14 observaram uma prevalência de 81% de atopia em indivíduos alérgicos ao látex.…”

Features and Mode of Action of Cross-reactive Plant Allergens Relevant to Latex-fruit Syndrome

“…It was pointed out early in the research on this allergy that some latex-sensitized patients cross-react to avocado, banana, and chestnut. This phenomenon later came to be called 'latex-fruit syndrome' (Brehler et al, 1997). In the meantime, the kinds of fruits and vegetables that demonstrated their cross-reactivity to natural rubber latex increased rapidly (Kim & Hussain, 1999).…”

Alergia ao látex e à banana em crianças com mielomeningocele na cidade do Rio de Janeiro

“…Dois estudos recentes, realizados no México, encontraram freqüên-cias de sensibilização ao látex de 4,76% em crianças atópicas 6 , e de 22% de pacientes adultos com antecedentes profissionais médi-cos ou paramédicos 7 . Atualmente, a alergia ao látex vem sendo freqüentemente associada à alergia a frutas e legumes como abacate, banana, kiwi, grapefruit, papaia, castanha, nozes, ananás, melão, figo, maracujá, tomate, tâmara, batata e pêsse-go, com freqüências de sensibilização clínico-laboratorial variando de 18,4% a 32,1% dos pacientes alérgicos a látex 8,9 . Os estudos utilizando métodos de inibição com o RAST comprovaram a existência de uma sensibilização cruzada entre o látex e a banana 10 .…”