Abstract
Latex allergy among health care workers remains a serious
occupational health problem with a recently reported prevalence oÊ latex allergy between 5o/o and l5o/o. The main determinancs of air and dermal larex allergen exposure have been
identified, but clear exposure-response relations have noc yer
been developed, partly because ofa lack ofa valid assay.
Because oF posicive previous e[forts, a polyclonal sandwich
EIA For the measurement of larex allergens in sample exrracts
was developed. A¡ti-latex IgG, derecting a wide range of
latex proteins, was obtained using serum From a rabbit.
Our assay was validated through several laboratory experiments, including sensitiviry and specificiry cescing, measuring
reactivicy of extracts from gloves and air samples, and a comparison analysis with an existing IgE inhibition assay.
The results show the assay to be specific and ro have a sensiúviey of 2.5-3.0 ngiml, or 6 nglm3 for full shift inhalation
exposure meesurements. The assay is successful in measuring
latex proteins in extracß from powdered gloves, filters From
airborne sampling and skin pads. Furrhermore, the comparacive analysis with the existing IgE inhibition assay shows a
high correlation For rhe airborne dust samples (r'z=0.7-0.8)
and glove extracts (rt=0.9).
I¡ is concluded chat a polyclonal immuno assay might be a
valuable cool in latex exposure assessmenr as it describes rhe
overall allergeniciry of latex products, normally conraining a
range ofdifferent larex proteins. Furrher validation oFthe
assay is necessary and practical value should be rested.
occupational health problem with a recently reported prevalence oÊ latex allergy between 5o/o and l5o/o. The main determinancs of air and dermal larex allergen exposure have been
identified, but clear exposure-response relations have noc yer
been developed, partly because ofa lack ofa valid assay.
Because oF posicive previous e[forts, a polyclonal sandwich
EIA For the measurement of larex allergens in sample exrracts
was developed. A¡ti-latex IgG, derecting a wide range of
latex proteins, was obtained using serum From a rabbit.
Our assay was validated through several laboratory experiments, including sensitiviry and specificiry cescing, measuring
reactivicy of extracts from gloves and air samples, and a comparison analysis with an existing IgE inhibition assay.
The results show the assay to be specific and ro have a sensiúviey of 2.5-3.0 ngiml, or 6 nglm3 for full shift inhalation
exposure meesurements. The assay is successful in measuring
latex proteins in extracß from powdered gloves, filters From
airborne sampling and skin pads. Furrhermore, the comparacive analysis with the existing IgE inhibition assay shows a
high correlation For rhe airborne dust samples (r'z=0.7-0.8)
and glove extracts (rt=0.9).
I¡ is concluded chat a polyclonal immuno assay might be a
valuable cool in latex exposure assessmenr as it describes rhe
overall allergeniciry of latex products, normally conraining a
range ofdifferent larex proteins. Furrher validation oFthe
assay is necessary and practical value should be rested.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 65-70 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Toegepaste Arbowetenschap |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |