CORNSTARCH POWDER ON LATEX PRODUCTS IS AN ALLERGEN CARRIER

Allergic reactions of the upper respiratory tract during use of powder ed latex rubber gloves have been recently associated with sensitivity to latex. We have studied the ability of cornstarch powder to bind lat ex proteins and evaluated allergenic properties of the bound protein. Allergenicity was determined by competitive inhibition of human anti-l atex IgE binding to solid-phase latex antigen. Cornstarch extracted fr om powdered latex products and clean cornstarch exposed to latex prote in extracts were evaluated in comparison with clean unexposed cornstar ch. Both exposed cornstarch preparations inhibited specific binding of anti-latex IgE antibodies to latex proteins in a dose-response manner . Latex-exposed cornstarch diluted 50% vol/vol produced complete inhib ition, whereas greater dilutions exhibited variable levels of inhibiti on, depending on the source of cornstarch-bound proteins, insolubilize d latex proteins, and IgE antibody-containing human serum used. Cornst arch not exposed to latex had no inhibitory activity. The study demons trates that cornstarch indeed binds allergenic latex proteins and supp orts the causative relationship between allergic reactions in individu als with latex sensitivity and the exposure to airborne particles from powdered latex products.