Immunochemical methods

A homologous or heterologous immunological method for demonstrating and quantifying simultaneously and/or qualitatively/semiquantitatively demonstrating simultaneously at least two specific latex allergens having clinical relevance from a manufactured rubber product comprising

• (a) contacting a sample obtained from said rubber product with a mixture of primary antibodies, and
• (b) detecting the bound allergens by secondary antibodies, characterized in that said mixture of primary antibodies comprises at least two (mono)specific polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, which are directed against at least two different specific latex allergens having clinical relevance or their functionally equivalent breakdown fragments, sub-units or aggregates or their fusion proteins with a suitable partner, or against specific epitopes thereof, and said secondary antibodies comprise polyclonal antibodies raised against a mixture of at least two latex allergens having clinical relevance or their functionally equivalent breakdown fragments, sub-units or aggregates or their fusion proteins with suitable partners, said primary antibodies being optionally bound to a solid phase and said secondary antibodies being optionally suitably labelled and/or optionally being bound to a solid phase.

A homologous or heterologous immunological method for demonstrating and quantifying simultaneously and/or qualitatively/semiquantitatively demonstrating simultaneously at least two specific latex allergens having clinical relevance from a manufactured rubber product comprising

• (a) contacting a sample obtained from said rubber product with a mixture of primary and secondary antibodies, and
• (b) detecting the bound allergens by a suitable detection means, such as colorimetry, turbidometry, nephelometry or fluorometry, characterized in that said mixture of primary and secondary antibodies comprises at least two (mono)specific polyclonal or monoclonal primary antibodies, which are directed against at least two different clinically relevant latex allergens or their functionally equivalent breakdown fragments, sub-units or aggregates or their fusion proteins with a suitable partner, or against specific epitopes thereof, wherein said primary and secondary antibodies have different epitope specificities, said primary and secondary antibodies being bound to a solid phase and optionally being suitably labelled for detection.

An immunochemical method for detecting simultaneously the presence or absence of specific IgE antibodies against at least two latex allergens of clinical relevance, characterized by contacting a specimen, which is obtained from a patient suspected of suffering from latex allergy, with a mixture of at least two clinically relevant latex allergens and detecting the immunological complex thus formed.

An immunochemical method for detecting simultaneously the presence or absence of specific IgG4 antibodies against at least two latex allergens of clinical relevance, characterized by contacting a specimen, which is obtained from a patient suspected of suffering from latex allergy, with a mixture of clinically relevant latex allergens, and detecting the immunological complex thus formed.

A screening method for the simultaneous detection of the presence or absence of specific IgE and/or IgG4 against at least two latex allergens of clinical relevance, characterized by contacting a specimen, which is obtained from a patient suspected of suffering from latex allergy, with a mixture of at least two clinically relevant latex allergens and detecting the immunological complex thus formed.

A composition containing simultaneously predetermined amounts of natural or recombinant natural rubber latex allergens of clinical relevance or fusion proteins thereof with a suitable fusion partner or functionally equivalent fragments or aggregates thereof in a suitable formulation.

The simultaneous use of natural or recombinant Hev b 1, Hev b 3, Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.02 or fusion proteins thereof in the diagnosis of NRL allergy.

The use of natural or recombinant Hev b 1, Hev b 3, Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.02 or fusion proteins thereof in the simultaneous detection the possible residual content of allergenic proteins or peptides derived from natural rubber latex in a finished product made of or containing natural rubber latex.