Allergenicity of natural rubber latex gloves

The concentrations of proteins, allergens and rubber chemicals are essential parameters of the allergenicity of NRL gloves. To date, a standardized method has been given only for analysis of the protein concentration (DIN EN 455‐3), and not for the concentrations of allergens and rubber chemicals. I...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contact dermatitis 2002-02, Vol.46 (2), p.65-71
Main Authors: Brehler, Randolf, Rütter, Anita, Kütting, Birgitta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Allergens - isolation & purification
Allergic diseases
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Chromatography, Gas
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
contact dermatitis
gloves
Gloves, Surgical
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
hypersensitivity
immediate-type hypersensitivity
Immunopathology
latex
Latex Hypersensitivity - immunology
Medical sciences
natural rubber latex
prevention
Radioallergosorbent Test
rubber chemicals
Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies
Skin Tests
Statistics, Nonparametric
Toxicology
Various organic compounds
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Summary:The concentrations of proteins, allergens and rubber chemicals are essential parameters of the allergenicity of NRL gloves. To date, a standardized method has been given only for analysis of the protein concentration (DIN EN 455‐3), and not for the concentrations of allergens and rubber chemicals. In the present study, we investigated 11 brands of surgical gloves currently available on the German market. Additionally 1 glove, not subjected to final leaching procedures, was added for comparison purposes. Protein concentrations were analysed by different methods in different laboratories. Allergen concentrations were assayed by prick tests in NRL‐allergic volunteers and by RAST inhibition methods. Rubber chemicals were analysed by HPTLC and GC. The protein concentrations analysed by the Lowry method in the 2 laboratories gave concordant results, but the correlations between protein and allergen concentrations were low. The protein concentration analysed by HPLC correlated with the allergen concentration, and gave better information on the allergenicity of the gloves. The development of standardized methods for allergen analysis in the assessment routine is necessary, due to significant discrepancy between protein and allergen levels of some gloves. Thiurams were not found in any of the gloves, though carbamates were present in all gloves tested. Our data indicate that washing procedures have little or no effect on the concentration of rubber chemicals.
ISSN:0105-1873
1600-0536
DOI:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.450201.x