Allergy.  1995 Dec;15(4):623-631.

Characteristics of latex protein and the prevalence of latex allergy

• Yoon HJ
• Chang HK
• Song KJ
• Cheng KC
• Yoo TJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
S: Since 1979, there have been numerous reports of latex IgE-mediated reactions reflecting a dramatic increase in incidence. Increased usage of latex gloves and changes in manufacturing methods have contributed to this rise in incidence of latex reactions. In addition to local irritation from direct contact, latex gloves have been associated with thiniris, asthma, and anaphylactic reactions, especially perioperative rearions. There are three high risk groups of IgE-mediated latex allergy(rubber industry workers, patients with spina bifida, and health care workers), but patients who are not in any of these groups have been reported to have serious anaphylactic reactions including death. In these days many investigators have been trying to study the latex allergy, however there are no safe, and accurate diagnostic tools for latex allergy. So we have studied the extractable latex proteins in latex gloves and performed latex skin test for the hospital employees.
METHODS
Latex glove extract was prepared with latex gloves of several brands made by different manufacturers. After that, the protein levels were checked for eight brands of latex gloves by Bio-Rad protein assay. To explore the protein contents, 15% SDS-poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis was done for latex glove extract, and to compare the prorein contents, 15% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed for latex and banana extract. Fuchsin-sulfite glycoprotein stain was done to know whether the lyophilized latex extract contain protein or glycoprorein. In order to investigate the incidence of latex IgE-mediated hypersensitivity, 35 hospital employees were interviewed and latex skin prick tests were performed. Of the 35 subjects, there were 15 operating room nurses, and 20 residents.
RESULTS
1) The extractable protein levels for the several brands of the latex gloves were variable in Bio-Rad protein assay. The protein levels in powdered gloves were a little higher than powder-free gloves. 2) SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; The three major protein bands of latex glove extract were found in less than 10kd, 14kd, 29kd. The protein bands for banana and latex glove extract were different each other. For Fuchsin-sulfite gly coprotein stain, the result was negative. 3) Questionnaires for latex allergy and latex skin prick test; Symptoms associated with glove wearing were acknowledged by six volunteers(17%) (4: contact dermatitis, 1: contact dermatitis and focal urticaria, 1: skin itching). Among six volunteers with symptoms associated with glove wearing, two subjects were a positive response for latex skin prick test. One had symptom of skin itching, the other had symptoms of contact dermatitis and focal urticaria.
CONCLUSION
This results suggest that the protein levels of latex gloves from different manufacturers were variable, and the major bands of latex extract were found less than 10kd, 14kd, 29kd and the protein bands for banana and latex extract were different each other on the SDS -polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The questionnaires and latex skin prick test could be one of the diagnostic methods to detect latex allergy.

MeSH Terms

Acrylamide
Anaphylaxis
Asthma
Delivery of Health Care
Dermatitis, Contact
Electrophoresis
Glycoproteins
Humans
Hypersensitivity, Immediate
Incidence
Latex Hypersensitivity*
Latex*
Musa
Operating Rooms
Prevalence*
Pruritus
Research Personnel
Skin
Skin Tests
Spinal Dysraphism
Urticaria
Volunteers
Surveys and Questionnaires
Acrylamide
Glycoproteins
Latex