Crippa M, Belleri L, Mistrello G, Carsana T, Neri G, Alessio L
Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Servizio di Medicina del Lavoro, Spedali Civili di Brescia.
G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2002 Oct-Dec;24(4):441-3.
In this study the total protein content and the latex allergenic protein content in different types of medical gloves commonly used in our hospital were evaluated. The correlation between these two parameters and the correctness of the data provided by the glove manufacturers have been also verified. The main purpose of this study was to acquire information useful for preventing latex allergy in our hospital personnel. 29 different types of medical gloves were examined. The total protein contents were evaluated with Lowry modified method and the allergenic latex protein contents were evaluated with RAST-inhibition assay, both on glove samples and glove extracts. The correlation between inhibition percentages found in glove samples and in glove extracts and the correlation between total protein content and inhibition percentages determined in samples of the same gloves was verified. The highest concentrations of total proteins and allergenic latex proteins were found in examination powdered latex gloves and in surgical powdered latex gloves. A good correlation was observed between the total protein content and the inhibition percentages determined in samples of the same gloves, and between inhibition percentages found in glove samples and glove extracts. A significant amount of latex proteins was found in some brands of nitryl gloves. 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. We believe that the total protein content is relevant from a preventive point of view for a proper gloves selection in the workplaces. Therefore, manufacturing companies should provide package inserts including at least the total protein contents and possibly allergenic latex protein levels, with specific measurement methods. Since the highest total protein and allergenic latex protein contents were found in latex powdered gloves, powder-free gloves must be of first choice. 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. For latex allergic subjects it is necessary to pay attention in choosing nitryl gloves, especially as an alternative to natural rubber gloves since some brands may contain significant amounts of allergenic latex proteins.
本研究评估了我院常用的不同类型医用手套中的总蛋白含量和乳胶过敏原蛋白含量。还验证了这两个参数之间的相关性以及手套制造商提供数据的正确性。本研究的主要目的是获取对预防我院医护人员乳胶过敏有用的信息。检测了29种不同类型的医用手套。采用改良的Lowry法评估手套样品和手套提取物中的总蛋白含量，采用放射变应原吸附抑制试验评估乳胶过敏原蛋白含量。验证了手套样品和手套提取物中抑制率之间的相关性，以及同一手套样品中总蛋白含量与抑制率之间的相关性。检查用粉末乳胶手套和手术用粉末乳胶手套中的总蛋白和乳胶过敏原蛋白浓度最高。在同一手套样品中测定的总蛋白含量与抑制率之间，以及手套样品和手套提取物中发现的抑制率之间，均观察到良好的相关性。在一些品牌的腈手套中发现了大量的乳胶蛋白。总蛋白水平与乳胶过敏原蛋白水平之间的明显关联表明，总蛋白含量最高的手套具有最大的过敏潜力。我们认为，从预防角度来看，总蛋白含量对于在工作场所正确选择手套至关重要。因此，制造公司应提供包装说明书，至少包括总蛋白含量，并可能包括乳胶过敏原蛋白水平以及具体的测量方法。由于粉末乳胶手套中的总蛋白和乳胶过敏原蛋白含量最高，无粉手套必须是首选。直接在手套样品上而非手套提取物上进行放射变应原吸附抑制试验，似乎是评估乳胶手套过敏潜力的一种可靠且快速的替代方法。对于乳胶过敏的受试者，在选择腈手套时需要注意，尤其是作为天然橡胶手套的替代品时，因为一些品牌可能含有大量的乳胶过敏原蛋白。
