LOCAL REACTION SECONDARY TO INSULIN INJECTION - A POTENTIAL ROLE FOR LATEX ANTIGENS IN INSULIN VIALS AND SYRINGES

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the possibility that latex antigens (natural r ubber) can contribute to or cause local sensitivity at insulin injecti on sites. CASE - A subject with documented local cutaneous allergic re actions at the site of insulin injections and with systemic latex alle rgy manifested as anaphylaxis was tested with intradermal injections o f insulin diluent from two manufacturers and with two brands of insuli n syringes. RESULTS - The subject had high titer anti-latex IgE and el evated coral levels of IgE in serum. Anti-insulin IgG and IgE antibodi es were absent. Erythema and wheals occurred at the sites of intraderm al injection of insulin therapy components (insulin diluent and syring es) that contain natural latex rubber but not at the site of injection of insulin therapy components that do not contain natural latex rubbe r. CONCLUSIONS - Small quantities of natural latex rubber antigens in insulin injection materials can be sufficient to produce local cutaneo us reactions at the site of insulin injection in individuals highly al lergic to natural latex rubber.