Natural Latex Gloves Research Articles

Durability Variation Among Medical Gloves Made from Existing and New Elastomers Poses a Risk to Public Health.

Despite being an essential line of defense in preventing the spread of diseases, medical glove durability is neither measured routinely nor has standard specifications. In this study, a new glove durability assessment device is used to objectively compare the durability of gloves made of a variety of elastomers from different manufacturers. Results are related to several mechanical tests, including stress relaxation, tensile and tear tests. Overall, natural latex gloves far outperformed those made of synthetic elastomers, and there is great disparity among the different brands of nitrile gloves, some of which do not meet nitrile glove performance requirements. The study includes prototype gloves made from guayule latex, a domestic source of alternative natural rubber latex, currently under commercial development. The guayule gloves outperformed all other gloves tested, including those made from Hevea latex, without posing allergy risks. Mechanical analysis demonstrated that the guayule gloves are as strong as the best alternatives, are softer and more elastic, have better tear strength, and have such low stress relaxation that they cause very little hand fatigue during use. Guayule latex can address the need for domestic production of gloves to resolve supply chain and quality issues and encourage a shift back to natural latex gloves, which will significantly diversify the natural rubber supply.

Guayule Natural Rubber Latex and Bi2O3 Films for X-ray Attenuating Medical Gloves

Existing natural latex radiation-attenuating gloves (RAGs) contain a high loading of radiation attenuation filler that reduces their mechanical properties to below Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medical glove requirements. RAGs are commonly formulated using Hevea natural rubber latex and lead-based fillers. The former can cause life-threatening allergic responses and the latter are known for their toxicity. In this work, a new lead-free RAG formulation based on circumallergenic guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) and non-toxic radiation attenuation filler bismuth trioxide (Bi2O3) was developed. GNRL films with Bi2O3 loadings ranging from 0 to 300 PHR at different thicknesses were prepared. Radiation attenuation efficiencies (AE) at 60, 80, 100, and 120 kVp were determined and attenuation isocontour curves predicted film thickness and Bi2O3 loading required to meet or exceed the radiation attenuation requirements of ASTM D7866 and commercial RAGs. Optimal curing conditions for GNRL/Bi2O3 films with 150 PHR Bi2O3 were investigated by varying curing temperatures and time from 87 °C to 96 °C and 65 min to 90 min, respectively. In general, as the loading of the filler increased, the density of the films increased while the thickness decreased. GNRL/Bi2O3 films with 150 PHR Bi2O3 and 0.27 mm provided 5% more AE than RAG market average attenuation at the same thickness. The films with 150 PHR Bi2O3 cured under near-optimal conditions (90 °C/85 min, and 87 °C/65 min) met both the radiation attenuation standard (ASTM D7866) and the natural latex surgeon and examination glove standards (ASTM D3577 and D3578, respectively). Thus, gloves made using our formulations and protocols demonstrated potential to meet and surpass medical natural latex glove standards, offer a single product for both infection control and radiation protection instead of double-gloving, provide a greater degree of comfort to the user, and simultaneously reduce contact reactions and eliminate potential latex allergic reaction.

Anti-Microbial and Self-Cleaning of Natural Rubber Latex Gloves by Adding Mangosteen Peel Powder

Mangosteen peel powder is one of the most important bio-antioxidants. Adding mangosteen peel powder as filler into natural rubber latex compound for latex glove film formation via dipping process can help the green anti-microbial properties. The physical (smoothness and thickness of film) and mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) of latex film are still good. Therefore, adding mangosteen peel powder into natural rubber latex gloves can reduce the anti-allergic and antimicrobial on the film surface. Mangosteen peel powder ground by rapid mill is fine particle and high surface area 2.4216 m2/g suitable for homogeneous and compatible for adding into natural rubber latex compound. Ceramic hand mold was dipped into the Ca (NO3)2 coagulant only 3 seconds, then dipped into the natural rubber latex compounds added mangosteen peel powder for 15 seconds, withdrawn hand mold slowly, cured in the oven at 120°C for 30 min, then dried at room temperature, and casted it off the hand mold. The obtained natural latex glove films added mangosteen peel powder are smooth, clear, and thin film surface, the highest elongation at break 803.2711 ± 31.6477%, good tensile strength 30.2933 ± 6.0218 MPa, dense film without water leakage, and good contact angle.

Preliminary Study on Effect of Chemical Composition Alteration on Elastic Recovery and Stress Recovery of Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are widely used in the medical and automobile field due to its superiority in hypo-allergic component and chemical resistance over natural latex gloves. However, poor elastic recovery of nitrile glove to compressive force also creates an aesthetic issue for customers with high levels of wrinkling after removing from glove box. This paper demonstrates the preliminary study on the varies chemical composition such as crosslinking agents, sulphur and zinc oxide, the accelerator agent added during curing process, and the rubber filler Titanium Dioxide, on the elastic recovery and stress relaxation in nitrile gloves manufacturing. These chemical were studied at different concentration level comparing the high and low level versus the normal production range. Due to the inconsistency in the analysis technique on the surface imaging, the elastic recovery result was unable to be quantified and was not conclusive at this point. The cross linking agents, sulphur and zinc oxide, and the accelerator agent, played a significant role in the mechanical strength of the gloves. Increment of these chemicals result in higher tensile strength, but a reduction in the elasticity of the materials in which causes a lesser elongation at break percentage for the gloves. Both cross-linkers demonstrate different behaviour where higher sulphur content, provide higher stress relaxation (SR%) yet zinc oxide shows otherwise.

The Effects of Trans-Polyoctylene Rubber (TOR) on the Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber/Recycled Natural Latex Gloves (NBR/NRL-G) Compounds

The using of Trans-Polyoctylene Rubber (TOR) as a compatibilizer with acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/recycled natural latex gloves (NBR/NRL-G) has been investigated. The compounds were prepared with different (TOR) loading (0, 2, 4,6 and 8 Phr) using two roll mills at room temperature. The properties such as cure characteristics, tensile properties, physical properties and morphology were studied. The compatibilized (NBR/NRL-G) compounds exhibited overall good cure characteristics, morphological and physical properties compared uncompatibilized (NBR/NRL-G) compound. The addition of the (TOR) up to 6 Phr was the optimum tensile strength.

Study of aniline's penetration capability through rats' complete skin in vitro and normal lab gloves

To study the permeability of intact mouse abdominal skin to aniline and the protective capability of two typical lab gloves against aniline. A Franz diffusion cell was used to perform in vitro transdermal absorption test and glove permeation test for aniline (0.102 mg/ml and 0.010 mg/ml). The permeabilities of intact mouse abdominal skin and gloves to aniline were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection. The transdermal penetration of the two concentrations of aniline followed zero order kinetics within 12 h, exhibiting total aniline permeabilities within 24 h of 51.71% and 48.31%, respectively. The absorption liquid had an aniline concentration of at least 18 µg/L. The medical disposable latex glove could not stop the penetration of 0.010 mg/ml aniline, but the industrial natural latex glove could. The penetration of 0.102 mg/ml and 0.010 mg/ml aniline through the mouse abdominal skin follows zero order kinetics within 12 h. The medical disposable latex glove cannot stop the penetration of 0.010 mg/ml aniline, but the industrial natural latex glove can.

Design and fabrication of artificial neural network-digital image-based colorimeter for protein assay in natural rubber latex and medical latex gloves

Digital image-based colorimetry (DIC) using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera as a detector coupled with artificial neural network (ANN) was developed for protein assay in natural rubber (NR) latex and medical latex gloves. This method was based on the RGB values (red, green and blue) of different color intensities from the reaction of protein complexes with the modified Lowry reagent. Protein standard solutions and protein in the samples were captured by a single image in the DIC light box. The data was processed by an ANN program to evaluate the RGB value of each digital image. Under the optimum conditions, the amount of protein could be determined in the concentration range of 0–10μgmL−1. When comparing the results obtained from the DIC-ANN with the spectrophotometric method, there was no statistical difference at 95% confidence level by applying t-test at unequal variance. The average mean squared error (MSE) for the protein assay was 0.037. The limit of quantitation by the proposed method (defined as the concentration that could be photographed and processed by an ANN program) was 1μgmL−1. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of extractable protein in NR latex and medical latex gloves and proved to be a convenient, rapid and inexpensive method.

Integrity of Disposable Nitrile Exam Gloves Exposed to Simulated Movement

Every year, millions of health care, first responder, and industry workers are exposed to chemical and biological hazards. Disposable nitrile gloves are a common choice as both a chemical and physical barrier to these hazards, especially as an alternative to natural latex gloves. However, glove selection is complicated by the availability of several types or formulations of nitrile gloves, such as low-modulus, medical grade, low filler, and cleanroom products. This study evaluated the influence of simulated movement on the physical integrity (i.e., holes) of different nitrile exam glove brands and types. Thirty glove products were evaluated out-of-box and after exposure to simulated whole-glove movement for 2 hr. In lieu of the traditional 1 L water-leak test, a modified water-leak test, standardized to detect a 0.15 ± 0.05 mm hole in different regions of the glove, was developed. A specialized air inflation method simulated bidirectional stretching and whole-glove movement. A worst-case scenario with maximum stretching was evaluated. On average, movement did not have a significant effect on glove integrity (chi-square; p = 0.068). The average effect was less than 1% between no movement (1.5%) and movement (2.1%) exposures. However, there was significant variability in glove integrity between different glove types (p ≤ 0.05). Cleanroom gloves, on average, had the highest percentage of leaks, and 50% failed the water-leak test. Low-modulus and medical grade gloves had the lowest percentages of leaks, and no products failed the water-leak test. Variability in polymer formulation was suspected to account for the observed discrepancies, as well as the inability of the traditional 1 L water-leak test to detect holes in finger/thumb regions. Unexpectedly, greater than 80% of the glove defects were observed in the finger and thumb regions. It is recommended that existing water-leak tests be re-evaluated and standardized to account for product variability.

Detection and toxicity assessment of nitrosamines migration from latex gloves in the Chinese market

Nitrosamines are potent carcinogens and have been found in latex products. In 2007, twenty-seven natural latex gloves including sterile gloves, examination gloves and household use gloves were sampled from the Chinese market. This study monitored the migration of nitrosamines and nitrosatable substance from these gloves, and evaluated their mutagenicity using a Salmonella typhimurium mutation assay (Ames assay) with the strains TA98, TA97, TA100 and TA102 and by a micronucleus test (MN test) using ICR mice. In addition, the cytotoxicity of these compounds was determined by a MTT assay. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) were all found in samples treated with artificial sweat for 4h at 37 degrees C, and total nitrosamines varied from 18.89 to 244.51microg/Kg. The nitrosamine mixture of NDMA, NDEA and NDBA was used in both the Ames assay and the MN test. The proportion of NDMA, NDEA and NDBA (1:10:20) was selected according to the proportion of nitrosamines migration from sample E05. In the Ames assay, the lowest dose (1.98 x 10(-3)microg per plate) produced a positive result in the TA98 strain, corresponding to nitrosamines migration from sample E05 of 0.016g (the total nitrosamines migration from glove E05 was 122.55 microg/kg). The TA100 strain responded positively at a dose of 4.96 x 10(-2)microg per plate, corresponding to nitrosamines migration from glove E05 of 0.040g. The MN test showed nitrosamine migration of 3.04 mg from 2066 pairs of sample E05 and could induce micronuclei in one mouse weighing 28g (average weight of one E05 glove was 6g). Extracts from gloves were found to be cytotoxic and there was a significant correlation between cytotoxicity (IC50) and the release level of nitrosamines. In conclusion, in view of the high content of nitrosamines in latex gloves and the potential toxicity of nitrosamines migration from these gloves, it is suggested that both an effective and feasible detection method and prescribed limits should be imposed.

Reducing Workers' Compensation Costs for Latex Allergy and Litigation against Glove Manufacturing Companies

It has been well documented in the medical literature that powdered medical gloves can have serious consequences to patients and health-care workers. Adverse reactions to natural latex gloves, such as contact dermatitis and urticaria, occupational asthma, and anaphylaxis, have been documented as a significant cause of Workers' Compensation claims among health-care workers. While the cost of examination and surgical gloves is significant, this factor must be considered with the total cost of Workers' Compensation claims and possible litigation bestowed upon hospitals and glove manufacturing companies. In the United States, Canada, Belgium, and Germany, medical leaders have documented the dangers of powdered latex gloves and have implemented transition programs that are reducing Workers' Compensation claims filed by health-care workers. While attorneys view litigation against powdered glove manufacturers as the "next big tort", the authors of this article were not able to document all compensation costs to disabled workers because many settlements do not allow the claimant to disclose this information.

Allergenic compounds on the inner and outer surfaces of natural latex gloves: MALDI mass spectrometry and imaging of proteinous allergens

Natural latex gloves are the cause of a severe health problem to an increasing number of healthcare workers or patients due to the presence of protein allergens as Hevein or Rubber Elongation Factor (REF). One of the most challenging problems is the in situ localization of theses allergens in, e.g. gloves, to estimate the allergenic potential of the latex material. A sample preparation protocol applying a binary matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization(MALDI) matrix containing alpha-cyano-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (CHCA) and 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid (DHB) on trifluoro acetic acid (TFA) etched latex glove surfaces allowed the direct determination (exact molecular weight) of Hevein, REF and a truncated form of REF (tREF) within nine different brands of natural latex gloves by means of MALDI-TOF-MS in the linear mode. MALDI mass spectrometry demonstrated that Hevein, tREF and REF were present on the inner surfaces (in direct contact with the skin) of many, but not all, investigated gloves without any prior extraction procedure. Additionally, different isoforms of the allergen Hevein were detected (exhibiting ragged C-termini). tREF and REF could always be detected beside each other, but were not observed on every latex glove sample, which contained Hevein. It was also demonstrated that there is a significant difference in terms of proteins and polymers between inner and outer surfaces of gloves, which helps to explain the different allergenic potential of these.MALDI imaging allowed for the first time the unambiguous localization of all three allergens in parallel and showed that Hevein was present on 36% of the investigated area of a latex glove with a certain localization, whereupon, tREF and REF were only found on 25% of the investigated material.

Latexerkrankungen

This article presents the development of glove purchasing in all acute hospitals insured by the employers’ liability insurance association for the health service and promotion of wellbeing (BGW) since the duty of substitution was introduced and since suspicion of occupational illnesses caused by allergies to natural latex became notifiable. A significant positive correlation was statistically documented between the use of powdered natural latex gloves and the number of cases in which an occupational illness attributable to natural latex allergy was notified. The results show that prevention by means of substitution of unpowdered gloves low in natural latex for powdered gloves with a high allergen content is of decisive importance. This simple countermeasure is easy to implement, and when it is consistently applied it significantly reduces the development of occupational allergies to natural latex and makes it possible for even sensitised members of staff to stay in their workplace.

Research Summary: Comparison of nitrile and latex examination gloves

Objective The aim of the current study was to assess the puncture resistance and stiffness of nitrile and latex dental examination gloves. Methods Puncture resistance was measured by employing an adapted version of ASTM F1342-91 using both a 316 stainless steel puncture probe (0.8 mm diameter) and a dental injection needle (0.45 mm diameter) interfaced to a tensile testing apparatus. Glove specimens (12 cm length, 1.5 cm breadth) were removed for modulus (M100) evaluation by assessing the force required to elongate the specimen to 100% of the original length. Glove samples were also aged to investigate whether puncture resistance and M100 values varied with aging at 70°C for 7 days in an air-circulating oven. Results The nitrile glove types were assessed to have significantly higher puncture resistance compared with the latex glove type when the steel puncture probe was the pentrometer when using the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 95% significance level. Interestingly the puncture resistance for the latex glove type was significantly higher (p < 0.001) when a dental injection needle was used as the pentrometer compared with the nitrile glove types. The M100 values were significantly higher for the nitrile glove types for which the stiffness increased when the gloves were aged (p < 0.001). Conclusions The higher stiffness values resulted in increased puncture resistance when the nitrile glove specimens were aged irrespective of the pentrometer type. However, the ability of latex to re-seal itself on puncture may be beneficial when considering the protection potential of each glove type against breaches in cross infection. For clinicians that have experienced an adverse reaction to natural latex gloves, the results of the current study indicate that nitrile gloves are available at reasonable cost and offer the clinician comparable resistance to puncture with latex gloves.

Health care workers enjoy some success in suing manufacturers of latex gloves

A Wisconsin court recently upheld a $1 million jury award to a health care worker, including $584,000 for pain and suffering, in a case brought against a manufacturer of natural latex gloves with a high protein content and cornstarch powder lining. Other health care workers have been successful in sidestepping legal obstacles to similar suits because the judges were willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. As these legal battles continue, American hospitals slowly have raised their consciousness about the dangers of latex, and guidelines for responsible use have emerged.

Assessment of IgE allergen specificity among latex-allergic health care workers: review of IgE-binding components of various latex extracts.

Allergic reactions to natural rubber latex have increased during the past 10 years, especially in many health care workers who have high exposure to latex allergens both by direct skin contact and by inhalation of latex particles from powdered gloves. Development of satisfactory diagnostic methods to verify the presence of latex allergy in health care workers requires characterization of the immunoreactive proteins in latex products and identification of specific IgE antibodies in sensitized patients. A number of different latex preparations are now available for in vitro evaluations. Utilizing different in vitro methods, this study examines IgE sensitization to components of latex in a selected population of hospital employees, employing a raw natural latex glove extract and various commercial latex extracts. Two hundred hospital employees exposed to latex were evaluated using an allergy history questionnaire. To further identify sensitized patients, two different specific IgE tests and leukocyte histamine release tests were performed using a panel of latex extracts obtained from different manufacturers. Sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profiles were obtained. Sera from 34 subjects suspected to be latex-sensitized were IgE immunoblotted to assess the presence of IgE antibodies directed toward specific latex proteins. Thirty-four participants (17%) were considered sensitized to latex by a positive clinical history in conjunction with positive specific IgE tests (18 individuals) and/or positive histamine release tests (26 individuals). Significant extract differences in both the histamine release response profile and the frequency of positive test results were noted in the histamine release test. Significant individual differences in patients' latex epitope-specificity were found by IgE immunoblotting, substantiated by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide profiles revealing differences in protein band patterns among the various extracts. The IgE immunoblots indicated that the majority of patients reacted to proteins with molecular weights of 14, 21, 30 to 35, and 42 kD; the 30 to 35 kD protein being predominant. Seven subjects (22%) of the 34 considered to be latex-sensitized did not reveal binding of specific IgE in immunoblots. One latex extract (Stallergene) with the widest IgE-reacting protein repertoire identified the majority of subjects (63%) as latex sensitive by leukocyte histamine release and also provided the best quantitative histamine release test results. Only by testing with a combination of latex extracts were all sensitized individuals identified. This study demonstrates that currently several in vitro methods may be necessary to detect IgE sensitization to latex. Latex extracts to be employed in future skin tests must contain a wide epitope repertoire of IgE-binding proteins to identify all latex-sensitized individuals.

The permeability of dental procedure and examination gloves by an alcohol based disinfectant

Objectives: The usage of gloves in dentistry has increased greatly over the last 10 years and this has highlighted certain problems when gloves are being worn extensively. While skin irritations and allergies caused by latex proteins and accelerators have been the main focus of attention, dental materials such as disinfectants have also become known as a source of skin reactions. This study was performed to evaluate the permeability of various gloves by ethanol. Methods: The tip of the middle finger of 13 glove brands (natural latex gloves (NLG) powdered or unpowdered, powdered vinyl, nitrile and synthetic elastomer) was exposed to 5 ml of a hand disinfectant (Desderman ™). After a penetration time ranging from 2 min to 8 h the permeation of Desderman was detected with a gas chromatograph. Results: Only one component of the disinfectant (ethanol) could be detected to have gone through the gloves. After only 2 min the vinyl and one nitrile glove and after 10 min all glove types were permeated. Powder seemed to have no real influence on the penetration of ethanol. Some natural latex gloves showed a low rate of leakage, while vinyl and nitrile gloves were penetrated quickly and to a great extent. The synthetic elastomer (Biogel Neotech ™) was the only one with a significantly lower penetration even after 2–8 h. Significance: While there are reports of adverse skin reactions to alcohol the amount of ethanol (up to 40 μl after 2 h) detected in this study is much too low to cause irritations and certainly not toxicity, but it could possibly initiate allergic reactions.

Endotoxin as a factor in adverse reactions to latex gloves.

Endotoxin is an inflammatory made by gram negative bacteria that can irritate the skin, induce respiratory problems, fever, and shock. It is an adjuvant for both delayed hypersensitivity and IgE production and has been shown to magnify antigen specific mediator release. Since many of the clinical problems associated with natural latex products involve similar clinical sequelae, we investigated the possibility that latex gloves might be contaminated with endotoxin. To measure the endotoxin content of a variety of natural latex gloves, investigate the its distribution and origin, associated with latex proteins, and determine the particle sizes associated with its release. Endotoxin, protein, and allergen were measured using a quantitative kinetic Limulus assay, modified Lowry, and RAST inhibition, respectively. Particle size and density were determined using an Anderson multistage air sampler and CsCl2 gradient. Endotoxin was found to be a highly significant contaminant of some latex gloves. Levels ranged from 0.09 ng to 2.8 micrograms/g of glove. Protein levels ranged from < 25 to 1150 micrograms/g of glove while allergen levels ranged from < 1 to 837 micrograms/g of glove. Endotoxin and protein eluted rapidly from the interior of the gloves tested. Greater than 70% of the endotoxin was found to be associated with particles in the < 7 microns aerodynamic diameter range. The highest levels of endotoxin were found in nonsterile examination gloves with a tendency towards powdered gloves containing more endotoxin and protein. A slurry containing cross-linked dextran through which gloves were dipped revealed very high endotoxin contamination (64 micrograms/mL) while unused cross-linked dextran has very little associated endotoxin. These data demonstrate that some natural rubber latex gloves, particularly nonsterile examination gloves, are contaminated with high amounts of endotoxin and proteins. These were found mostly on the inside of gloves and were released as very small respirable particles that were not physically associated with the powder. These findings support the hypothesis that endotoxin may be responsible for some of the tissue irritation associated with latex glove use. In addition, this material may be responsible for the enhancement of delayed and immediate hypersensitivity reactions to chemicals and proteins found in these products and offers a possible explanation for the disproportionate severity of these reactions.

Latex allergen elimination in natural latex sap and latex gloves by treatment with alkaline potassium hydroxide solution.

Antigenic proteins in latex products can cause type I allergy. We investigated the effects of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution on the allergenicity of proteins in natural latex sap and latex gloves by using an EAST competitive inhibition immunoassay and skin prick test. Latex sap was mixed with KOH solution at different concentrations and incubated over various periods of time at room temperature. Latex gloves were washed in KOH solution for different times at 30 degrees C and 90 degrees C. Our immunoassay results for the subsequently extracted latex proteins demonstrated a KOH concentration-, temperature-, and time-dependent decrease in allergenicity, finally resulting in complete loss of IgE-binding activity. In the skin prick test, we found only four weakly positive reactions to proteins extracted from KOH-washed gloves in 30 latex-sensitized patients. In addition, up to 97% of the aqueous extractable protein content could be removed from latex gloves by washing in KOH solution under certain conditions. These results suggest that antigenic proteins in natural latex sap and latex gloves can be changed by treatment with KOH solution, which is followed by a loss of their capability to bind specific IgE antibodies from most latex-sensitized patients.

Allergy to latex, avocado pear, and banana: Evidence for a 30 kd antigen in immunoblotting

Allergens of natural latex, latex gloves, avocado pear, and banana extracts were investigated by an immunoblotting technique in sera of patients experiencing associated latex and fruit allergies. Extracts were separated by sodium dodecyl-sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroblotted onto nitrocellulose. After incubation with patients' sera, IgE antibodies were revealed by a goat anti-human IgE alkaline-phosphatase conjugate. Seventeen serum samples from patients with well-documented latex allergy were studied. Among these patients, 10 demonstrated an allergy to avocado pear sometimes associated with banana. In sera from patients with latex and fruit allergy, prominent IgE binding was revealed at about 30 kd with latex and fruit extracts. Serum controls remained negative. Cross-inhibition of immunoblotting confirmed that this main allergen is linked to a common epitope present in latex and fruits. This must be related to clinical findings and previous observations of cross-reactivity. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL1995;95:557-64)

The effect of latex gloves on setting time of vinyl polysiloxane putty impression material.

Vinyl polysiloxane putty impression material (VPPIM) setting is unreliable when mixed in gloved hands. The exact reason for this remains obscure. This report focuses on the effect of natural and synthetic latex gloves on the setting of VPPIMs. This report indicates that synthetic latex gloves (SLG) have no effect on setting reaction of VPPIMs. However, natural latex gloves (NLG) significantly delay the setting reaction (P less than 0.05). Manufacturers should take note of this and supply SLGs for mixing. Dentists contemplating the use of VPPIMs should take these findings into consideration.