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| |  New Blood Test to Detect Latex Allergy KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 24, 1997 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted clearance to market a new laboratory blood test for latex allergy. The simple serum test can identify immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE) specific to latex allergies. Using Pharmacia & Upjohn Diagnostics Division’s ImmunoCap Technology, this new laboratory blood test, which can be ordered through most major reference laboratories, can determine within a few hours whether a patient is hypersensitive to latex. Latex allergy, which affects approximately three million people nationwide, has emerged in recent years as a growing medical concern within the health care profession. "The availability of a blood test provides physicians with a safe method to determine if their patients, especially those frequently exposed to latex products within a health care setting, are hypersensitive to latex products," said Dennis Ownby, M.D., Allergy Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit "Since latex allergies may increase in severity, it is important that individuals at risk for developing a latex allergy seek testing through their health care provider before a potentially serious reaction can occur." Latex allergies are classified as either a Type I or Type IV reaction, which can cause skin, respiratory and systemic responses. The most common reaction, a Type IV, usually includes a mild-to-moderate skin rash. A less common, yet more severe reaction is a Type I, which can lead to anaphylactic shock and in some cases death. There is no way to desensitize a sufferer to latex and avoidance can be challenging, since hundreds of everyday items contain latex, including disposable diapers, baby bottle nipples, balloons, surgical gloves and condoms.
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