Appraisal of latex glove proteins in the induction of sensitivity to multiple latex allergens

Six Hevea brasiliensis latex protein allergens, Hev b 1, Hev b 2, Hev b 3, Hev b 4, and two variants of Hev b 7 (7b and 7c), were purified from Hevea latex, while a seventh protein, Hev b 5, was prepared in recombinant form. The presence of these proteins in glove extracts was indicated by their res pective antibodies in the serum of rabbits immunized against the extracts. The relative propensities of IgE binding to the individual latex allergens were compared using sera from latex-allergic patients. IgE recognition of H ev b 4, Hev b 7b, Hev b 5 and Hev b 2 was most frequently encountered, with 75, 61, 31 and 28%, respectively, of the patient sera reacting. Sensitivit y to multiple latex proteins was common, and out of the 31 seropositive pat ients, 23 (74%) had IgE against at least two latex allergens, while 12 (39% ) had IgE specific for at least three allergens. Statistical analysis of th e data suggested that many patients might have acquired sensitivity to Hev b 2, Hev b 4 and Hev b 7b from a common source, (e.g., from latex products) . On the other hand, sensitivity to Hev b 5 and to Hev b 7c were interrelat ed It is plausible that sensitivity to these two proteins might have been a cquired from sources other than latex products (e.g., from certain foods).