Differential expression of allergens on the internal and external surfaces of latex surgical gloves.
BACKGROUND
Differences in latex allergen sensitization profiles have been described between children undergoing repeated surgical interventions and health care workers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such sensitization profiles are associated with differences in the expression of latex allergen between the internal and external surfaces of surgical gloves.


METHODS
Extracts were obtained from whole surgical gloves as well as from their external and internal surfaces. The extracts were centrifuged, filtered, concentrated, dialyzed and lyophilized. The protein profile of the extracts was analyzed using hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Immunoblotting was performed using sera from two patients with confirmed latex allergy. Latex recombinant allergen-specific IgE in these two patients was determined using a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) method. Latex allergen quantification was determined on both glove surfaces using an ELISA method.


RESULTS
HIC and SDS-PAGE showed qualitative and quantitative differences in proteins between the internal and external glove surfaces, with the former being much richer in proteins. Immunoblotting of glove extracts using sera from two latex-allergic health workers showed differences between glove surface extracts. ELISA quantification of latex allergens demonstrated that the internal glove surface had high amounts of Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.02 whereas the external surface showed Hev b 1, Hev b 3, and Hev b 6.02.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results reveal substantial differences in the composition of latex allergen profiles between the internal and external surfaces of surgical latex gloves, which may suggest a relationship between latex allergen localization and sensitization routes in different risk groups.
Peixinho
C
C
Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
Tavares
P
P
Tomáz
M R
MR
Taborda-Barata
L
L
Tomáz
C
C
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008420:Manufactured Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C098306:Hev b 1 protein, Hevea brasiliensis; D007840:Latex; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C101800:allergen Hev b 5; C061477:REF protein, Hevea brasiliensis; C045875:hevein; D007073:Immunoglobulin E