Prevention of latex allergy among health care workers: evaluation of the extractable latex protein content in different types of medical gloves.

Background: Since the 1980s, there has been increased use of latex gloves by health care workers and a concomitant increase of irritant and allergic reactions. The total protein content and the latex allergenic protein content in different types of medical gloves commonly used in our hospital were evaluated to acquire information useful for preventing latex allergy in our hospital personnel.

Methods: The total protein content and the allergic latex protein contents were evaluated with Lowry modified method and RAST inhibition assay in samples and extracts of 29 different types of medical gloves.

Results: The highest concentrations of total proteins and allergenic latex proteins were found in examination powdered latex gloves and in surgical powdered latex gloves; a significant amount of latex proteins was found in some brands of nitrile gloves.

Conclusions: The clear association between the total protein levels and the allergenic latex protein levels suggests that the gloves with highest total protein content have the greatest allergenic potential. Therefore, it is recommended that manufacturing companies should provide package inserts including the total protein contents and possibly allergenic latex protein levels. They should declare whether they have added latex to their nitrile glove formulation. RAST-inhibition assays directly on glove samples instead of glove extract seems to be a good reliable and faster alternative for the evaluation of the allergenic potential of latex gloves.