The funder never paid for the study.

This study is to evaluate the safety of Yulex gloves when used by individuals who have documented allergy to natural rubber latex from Hevea brasiliensis. Yulex is a latex from a different plant (Guayule) and in previous studies shows no cross-reactivity to Hevea latex and has not been allergenic in workers exposed to Yulex. The FDA has approved Yulex gloves for use in the general population and has recognized and labeled these gloves as Hevea Latex-free. The labeling still includes a precaution that Yulex gloves may pose a risk for development of allergy because Yulex does contain a small amount of Guayule protein. Yulex Corporation has proposed doing further studies to demonstrate safety and lack of allergenicity in a population that is prone to latex allergy. In the proposed pilot study, the investigators goal is to complete the protocol on 10 adults with spina bifida who are allergic to natural rubber latex who will wear Yulex gloves as part of their regular bladder and bowel care for approximately 30 minutes daily over a 3 month period. The investigators anticipate that the investigators will need to recruit and enroll up to 50 study participants to achieve a final sample of 10 adults with complete study data. Individuals with a history of anaphylaxis will be excluded from the study. The study participants will be tested for Yulex allergy by Glove Puncture Test as well as serology at the beginning and end of the study. The FDA Devices group has reviewed the study design and agreed that this is a suitable first pilot study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with spina bifida between the ages of 18 and 60 who exhibit positive serology to latex (Hevea Brasiliensis).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Possible exclusion criteria include age under 18, does not have spina bifida, or does not exhibit positive serology to latex (Hevea Brasiliensis).

Adverse events were to be assessed over a three month study period. Event data was only assessed on visit one, as none of the participants progressed to visit 2 and no participants received the yulex glove intervention.

The study was not completed because funding was never received. The two (2/7)enrolled participants who met screening eligibility criteria were terminated early without receiving the yulex glove intervention.