Background: Patients (pat) with spina bifida (Sb) are at high risk for latex allergy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of specific antibodies (Abs) against Hev b 1 (Rubber elongation factor), the first characterized allergen of latex, and to test the specific IgE binding of a synthetic peptide of Hev b 1. Within this peptide an allergenic epitope could be assumed according to previous investigations.

Subjects/Methods: In sera of 68 latex IgE positive pat with Sb we performed EAST (enzyme linked allergo sorbent test) against the purified Hev b 1 and detected specific IgE Abs in 56 pat (82%). To identify the common IgE epitope of Hev b 1 a peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 31-60 was synthesized.

Results: 28 of 41 (68%) serum samples from Sb pat with high IgE Abs to Hev b 1 (> 1 kU/1) had positive IgE binding reactivity to this peptide in EAST. In an autoinhibition assay the IgE binding to the peptide could be blocked completely by pre-incubating of serum samples with 0.2 μg of the peptide ref31-60. In an inhibition assay using Hev b 1 as target antigen and the peptide ref31-60 as inhibitor the IgE binding to Hev b 1 could be inhibited by 26% to 79%.

Conclusions: Hev b 1 could be proved as a major allergen in latex allergy also in Sb pat. The peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 31-60 of Hev b 1 was shown to contain an IgE epitope, confirmed by autoinhibition assay. But at least one additional epitope has to be postulated according to the results of the inhibition assay.