Serological prevalence of anti-latex IgE antibodies in unselected blood donors in Argentina

DOCENA GUILLERMO H.; FOSSATI ALBERTO

JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIONAL ALLERGOLOGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY

ESMON PUBLICIDAD S A

Año: 2005 vol. 15 p. 46 - 49

1018-9068

Abstract. The prevalence of specific IgE to natural rubber latex proteins in the general population remainsuncertain.The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of sera containing specific IgE antibodies tolatex proteins using immunoenzymatic methods.A population of 500 unselected adult voluntary blood donors was the source of the sera used in this study. Twodifferent immunoenzymatic methods (EAST and CARLA) were used to analyze the presence of specific IgEantibodies. Confirmation assay was carried out by inhibition ELISA and immunoblotting. Sera from healthy nonatopicindividuals were also used as control.Two hundred and twenty five sera showed higher than normal total IgE levels. Of those, three presented latexspecific IgE antibodies, which could be inhibited in a dose-response manner with the natural rubber latex andglove extracts. Several latex allergens were recognized by the IgE antibodies from these positive sera.This low seroprevalence (0.66 %) indicates that latex hypersensitivity is not an important problem in the generalpopulation. We believe that prevention of latex exposure is only necessary in high risk groups of patients.