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

Abstract

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.