Latex allergy can induce clinical reactions to specific foods

Clin Exp Allergy. 1996 Apr;26(4):416-22.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate crossreactivity between latex and foods, to identify crossreacting IgE binding proteins, and to assess the clinical significance.

Methods: Forty-seven latex allergic patients and 46 non-latex allergic patient controls were studied. Allergen sensitization was determined by skin-prick testing (SPT) and allergenic proteins were identified by immunoblot reactivity and amino acid sequence analysis.

Results: Immunological reactivity to foods was found to be common, occurring in 33 latex-allergic individuals but in only seven controls (P < 0.000001); 100 of 376 (27%) food skin-prick tests were positive in the latex-allergic subjects. Twenty-seven out of 100 positive food SPTs were associated with clinical symptoms. Seventeen patients manifested a clinical allergy to at least one food including 11 with anaphylaxis, and 14 with local sensitivity reactions. Positive food skin tests occurred most frequently with avocado (53%), potato (40%), banana (38%), tomato (28%), chestnut (28%), and kiwi (17%). Latex-allergic patients (23%) recognize a protein that had sequence homology to a broad class of plant proteins known as patatins. Crossreactivity between latex and several potato proteins was observed by immunoblot inhibition analysis.

Conclusions: Sensitization to latex has extensive crossreactivity with certain foods and leads to clinical allergic reactions. Potatoes and tomatoes are newly reported cross-reacting foods. Plant proteins with structural homology to latex proteins may predispose to food allergy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Allergens / chemistry
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Child
  • Cross Reactions / immunology
  • Female
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / immunology*
  • Immunoblotting
  • Latex / chemistry
  • Latex / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Proteins / immunology
  • Sequence Homology
  • Skin Tests
  • Solanum tuberosum / chemistry
  • Solanum tuberosum / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Latex
  • Plant Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U80598