Specific IgE to latex in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and malignant disease

Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2024, 60(5), 57-61.

M. Baleva

Clinic of Surgery, University Hospital “Alexandrovska”; Department of Surgery, Medical University – Sofia

Abstract. Introduction. Allergic reactions to latex (NRL) are most commonly reported in healthcare workers. We describe a rare case of a female patient with an oncological disease (breast cancer) and an autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in whom specific IgE antibodies (sIgE) to latex were detected during a routine examination, but without allergic manifestations. The following problems were discussed: 1. Importance of determining sIgE to NRL in healthcare workers; 2. Relationship between SLE and malignant diseases; 3. Relationship between cancer and latex allergy; 4. Relationship between SLE and latex allergy; 5. Lack of clinical data for latex allergy with proven high values of sIgE to latex.

Key words: SLE, breast cancer, latex allergy

Address for correspondence: Prof. Marta Baleva, MD, e mail: marta.baleva@gmail.com