title: Allergenic proteins in different brands of latex and synthetic medical examination gloves.
abstract: The steady increase in anaphylactic reactions to latex medical gloves has raised increasing awareness in the medical community. Even gloves claimed to be hypo-allergenic still may contain substantial amounts of IgE-binding proteins. We have studied non-powdered latex and synthetic examination glove extracts for their allergenicity using the immunoblot technique. Protein levels varied considerably among glove extracts and the amount did not always correlate with the presence of allergenic proteins. IgE binding proteins were found in 2 of the 7 powder-free latex glove brands. Synthetic glove extracts did not contain allergens. The study demonstrates that immunoblot analysis is a useful technique in order to select gloves with a minimal risk to raise IgE antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium Klinische Immunologie, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen K.U.L., Leuven België.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hoeyveld
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pelkmans
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godefridis
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011208:Powders; D011485:Protein Binding; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007840:Latex; D011208:Powders; D011506:Proteins; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber