ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC T-CELL RESPONSE OF LATE X-SENSITIZED PATIENTS

Immediate-type hypersensitivity to latex is associated with urticaria, rhinitis, asthma and/or systemic anaphylaxis. Lymphocyte proliferatio n responses of latex-sensitized subjects to latex glove extract, latex sap extract and a purified latex-allergen isolated from latex sap, th e Hev b 1 (identical with the rubber elongation factor), were found in 50% of the tested patients. Pronounced proliferation responses were o bserved in patients with specific latex-IgE in the range between 3.5 a nd 17.5 kU/l (CAP-class 3) and total IgE < 150 kU/l. No correlation be tween latex-specific IgE level and the latex-induced lymphocyte prolif eration response exists. Our data indicated that only 50% of the latex -sensitized patients showed lymphocyte response, but lymphocytes respo nding to latex extract from sap and gloves were stimulated by the puri fied allergen protein Hev b 1 as well.