This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The primary reason for this study is to determine the general safety and effectiveness of latex allergy injections in latex allergic individuals. Complete avoidance of latex exposure is the only current remedy for those that are allergic and this is often impossible to achieve without an occupational change, which is economically impacting as well as sometimes unacceptable to health care professionals and others. Furthermore, some studies suggest that moving to a new environment where latex exposure is minimal may not be enough to avoid continuing symptoms or to help with chronic respiratory disease. The need for additional options is therefore very important. There is reason to believe that treatment with regular latex allergy injections similar to traditional allergy injections may be successful in reducing latex allergy. We plan to enroll six subjects in this study, three allergic asthmatics and three allergic subjects who do not have asthma. During this trial, we will monitor the effects of the latex injections on the immune systems of the subjects, by gathering evidence from several testing methods. Results from repeated blood work; skin testing and challenges of breathing airborne latex particles will be the endpoints we will be using. The results of this study will tell us if this is a practical and safe form of possible treatment for healthcare workers and patients with latex allergy.
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