RAST Inhibition and ELISA Inhibition assays are quantitative assays which measure the allergen content of the gloves, and so are more specific tests than TEP. There are, however, a number of problems with using these tests as routine screening tests for latex gloves, mainly related to the necessity for a source of pooled sera from latex hypersensitive individuals. These tests also have to be validated against in-vivo methods to show that the allergens being measured are able to elicit a Type I response in sensitised individuals.
Pete Phillips <pete@smtl.co.uk>