latex
[la´teks] (L. “fluid”) 1. any of various white viscid fluids secreted by certain plants; the variety from
Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree, was formerly the main source of commercial rubber. Allergic reactions to natural latex are an important cause of type IV
hypersensitivity reactions. See also latex
allergy.
2. any of several synthetic fluids resembling natural latex, including
polystyrene and
polyvinyl chloride; these are not causes of latex
allergy.
latex agglutination test (
latex fixation test) a diagnostic study used to detect certain antibodies in body fluids;
latex particles are used as passive carriers, and particles clump together following the addition of the antibody. One use is as a serologic test for
rheumatoid factor in diagnosis of
rheumatoid arthritis.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.