Latex Glove Extract Research Articles

An Epidemic of Occupational Allergy to Latex Involving Health Care Workers

IgE-mediated sensitivity to natural rubber latex is being recognized more frequently among health care workers. Between January 1990 and June 1993, we evaluated 342 consecutive Mayo Medical Center employees who reported symptoms suggestive of latex allergy. All were interviewed and underwent puncture skin testing with extracts of rubber gloves. In some cases, latex-specific IgE antibodies were measured by immunoassay. One hundred four of the 342 employees evaluated (30%) were latex-allergic. Risk factors for sensitization included frequent use of disposable gloves, presence of prior atopic disease, and prior or current hand dermatitis. The peak onset of symptoms occurred in late 1989 and early 1990 and did not correlate with a peak in glove usage at our medical center, which continued to rise. Most sensitized employees (78%) reported contact urticaria from rubber gloves, and over two thirds also experienced allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or asthma when working in areas where large numbers of gloves were being used. Sixteen episodes of rubber-induced anaphylaxis were documented in 12 employees; six episodes occurred after latex skin testing and were easily reversed with appropriate therapy. Our findings substantiate a local epidemic of latex allergy among medical center employees. Epidemiologic studies are needed to assess the effects of various interventions to reduce occupational exposure to latex allergens. Although prick skin testing with concentrated latex glove extracts presents some risk of systemic reaction, pending availability of commercial diagnostic extracts, such testing is generally safe when performed by skilled laboratory personnel. Skin testing is warranted to investigate health care workers suspected of being latex-sensitive.

Prevalence of latex sensitivity in children evaluated for inhalant allergy.

We prospectively examined 80 children referred to a university allergy/immunology clinic for evaluation for inhalant allergies to determine the prevalence of latex hypersensitivity in this group. All children were skin tested with a Multi-test device to 35 inhalant allergens and a latex glove extract. Only one child gave a questionable history of latex sensitivity, but her skin test was negative. Three of 44 (6.8%) atopic children had a positive latex skin test (wheal greater than 4 mm); none of the 36 nonatopic children had a positive latex skin test. Two of the three children had a history of two or more surgical procedures but denied any clinical hypersensitivity reactions during surgery. Previous reports have demonstrated a personal history of atopy and of surgical procedures as risk factors for the development of latex hypersensitivity. This study helps verify these risk factors and should increase the awareness of this possible health hazard in this select group of children.

Surgical Latex Glove Allergy: Characterization of Rubber Protein Allergens by Immunoblotting

Immunoblot analysis employing IgE antibodies derived from sera of 3 physicians and 2 nurses allergic to surgical latex gloves, disclosed 10 allergens in natural rubber sap. Nine of the 10 allergens were detected in ammoniated natural rubber latex, but only 4 allergens in a latex glove extract. The allergenic proteins had apparent molecular weights ranging from 14 to 70 kD. Allergens with molecular weights of 14 and 21 kD showed the most intense immunoblot reactions suggesting that these proteins could be the major allergens in the natural rubber. An 11-kD protein and a 26-kD protein were only seen in the glove extract, indicating that they could be modified rubber proteins formed during glove manufacture.