Abstract - Allergenicity of latex gloves with reference to latex protein sensitive individuals in a Canadian population


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	Publications of MRB Latest Publications MRB Digest Journal of Rubber Research 3^rd Qtr 2008 Vol 11(3) 2^nd Qtr 2008 Vol 11(2) 1^st Qtr 2008 Vol 11(1) 4^th Qtr 2007 Vol 10(4) 3^rd Qtr 2007 Vol 10(3) 2^nd Qtr 2007 Vol 10(2) 1^st Qtr 2007 Vol 10(1) 1^st Qtr 2006 Vol 9(1) 2^nd Qtr 2006 Vol 9(2) 3^rd Qtr 2006 Vol 9(3) 4^th Qtr 2006 Vol 9(4) Submit paper/article Order Form	Abstract Allergenicity of Latex Gloves with Reference to Latex Protein Sensitive Individuals in a Canadian Population Allergenicity of latex gloves with varying levels of total extractable proteins was studied, by evaluating their allergic responses elicited, if any, in latex sensitive individuals of Canadian origin. Total extractable protein (EP) content of 30 latex medical gloves (powdered and powder-free) was determined by the modified Lowry method, according to both the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) protocols. While EP _RRIM values ranged from 865 µg/g to <10 µg/g, EP _ASTM values varied from 870 µg/g to <30 µg/g. A total of 30 latex allergic volunteers were skin-prick tested with the glove extracts. Results showed that gloves with high extractable protein contents always tend to elicit positive allergic reactions. On the other hand, much reduced or no allergic responses were associated with gloves having low extractable proteins, regardless of whether the gloves were powdered or powder-free. More than 60% of negative allergic responses were consistently observed at EP _RRIM of about 100 µg/g and lower, and at EP _ASTM of less than 50 µg/g. The total extractable protein content of latex gloves was found to be significantly correlated to their allergenicity, notwithstanding that the protein measurements were not fully allergen specific. Correlation coefficients 'r' of 0.94 for EP _RRIMand 0.88 for EP _ASTM, were obtained. This finding confirms an earlier report that showed close correlation between allergenicity and EP RRIM in a study based on a Finnish population of different genetic make-up.
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