Elutable Factors from Latex-Containing Materials Activate Complement and Inhibit Cell Proliferation

Abstract

Eluates from one all-silicone and two different combined silicone-latex catheters and one latex and one vinyl procedure glove were mixed with normal human serum and tested in a C3 complement activation assay. Simultaneously the eluates were tested in a cellular assay to measure inhibition of cellular proliferation. The combined silicone-latex catheters and the latex procedure glove caused a pronounced complement activation and inhibited cell proliferation. However, the response ranging was opposite in the two assays, suggesting that different soluble factors were responsible for the observed reactions. No complement activation or inhibition of cellular proliferation was observed for the all-silicone catheter and the vinyl procedure glove. Our results demonstrate that different assays should be taken into account when biocompatibility is evaluated.

Type I allergy to natural rubber latex and type IV allergy to rubber chemicals in health care workers with glove‐related skin symptoms

“…In fact, the most frequent undesirable effect was ICD (85.1%), followed by ACD (10.5%) and CU (6.8%). ICD is a direct injury to the superficial layers of the skin, similar to a burn or an abrasion, usually caused by friction and exposure to chemicals within the glove [1]: bacterial endotoxin [28], ethylene oxide [29] and cornstarch powder [30]. Ethylene oxide, used in the sterilization of disposable gloves, can also cause IgE‐mediated allergy [31].…”

Nasal and exhaled nitric oxide in response to occupational latex exposure

“…Indeed, mast cells, the principal effector cell in type I reactions, degranulate in response to various agents in addition to IgE, namely, the complement components C3a and C5a, Ca 2+ ionophores, and even tissue damage independent of immune responses. In support of this, Oettgen et al (19) have shown that IgE‐deficient mice can develop acute anaphylactic reactions, and Vage et al (20) have shown that elutable factors from latex can activate complement.…”