Identification of hevamine and hev B 1 as major latex allergens in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Proteins from latex gloves have been documented to trigger occupational latex allergy among health care workers. Allergen characterization of latex glove extract has never been studied in Taiwan. This study aimed to identify allergenic proteins from latex gloves.


METHODS
Crude extracts of latex gloves were prepared with phosphate-buffered saline and 20 medical workers with a history of latex allergy were enrolled in this study. The specific IgE antibody was determined by the Pharmacia CAP system and in-house enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunoblotting. The target proteins were excised from two-dimensional PAGE and analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Immunoblotting of glove extracts revealed three IgE-binding proteins at a molecular mass of 45, 30 and 14 kDa. Peptide mass fingerprinting revealed that the protein at 45 kDa, which was recognized by 10% (2/20) of atopic sera tested, was an allergenic lipolytic esterase from Hevea brasiliensis (Hev b 13). The 30- and 14-kDa proteins, which were recognized by 55% (11/20) and 85% (17/20) of patients' sera, were found to be hevamine and rubber elongation factor (Hev b 1), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that hevamine and Hev b 1 are the major allergens from latex gloves in Taiwan, which differs from the reports in Western countries.
Lee
Mey-Fann
MF
Department of Education and Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Chen
Yi-Hsing
YH
Lin
Huei-Chin
HC
Wang
Huei-Lin
HL
Hwang
Guang-Yuh
GY
Wu
Chii-Huei
CH
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013624:Taiwan
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C098306:Hev b 1 protein, Hevea brasiliensis; C473106:Hev b 13 allergen, Hevea brasiliensis; D007106:Immune Sera; D007840:Latex; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E