LATEX ALLERGEN ELIMINATION IN NATURAL LATEX SAP AND LATEX GLOVES BY TREATMENT WITH ALKALINE POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION

Antigenic proteins in latex products can cause type I allergy. We inve stigated the effects of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution on the alle rgenicity of proteins in natural latex sap and latex gloves by using a n EAST competitive inhibition immunoassay and skin prick test. Latex s ap was mixed with KOH solution at different concentrations and incubat ed over various periods of time at room temperature. Latex gloves were washed in KOH solution for different times at 30 degrees C and 90 deg rees C. Our immunoassay results for the subsequently extracted latex p roteins demonstrated a KOH concentration-, temperature-, and time-depe ndent decrease in allergenicity, finally resulting in complete loss of IgE binding activity. In the skin prick test, we found only four weak ly positive reactions to proteins extracted from KOH-washed gloves in 30 latex-sensitized patients. In addition, up to 97% of the aqueous ex tractable protein content could be removed from latex gloves by washin g in KOH solution under certain conditions. These results suggest that antigenic proteins in natural latex sap and latex gloves can be chang ed by treatment with KOH solution, which is followed by a loss of thei r capability to bind specific IgE antibodies from most latex-sensitize d patients.