A case of human seminal plasma allergy

Abstract

A 27-year-old Japanese woman presented for the evaluation of a history of repeated anaphylaxis, systemic urticaria, or dyspnea after sexual intercourse with her husband.Her past history revealed that she had contact urticaria induced by her husband's semen.She never experienced such an episode after having sex while using a contraceptive device.Skin prick test yielded positive results with her husband's seminal plasma at 1:10-1:1000 dilution, indicating a diagnosis of human seminal plasma allergy (HSPA).HSPA is a rare immediate-type allergic disease that is usually caused by sensitization to proteins present in the seminal fluid.Interestingly, more than half of all patients with HSPA have atopic dermatitis as a comorbidity, suggesting the possibility that an accelerated sensitization of seminal plasma proteins through barrier-impaired atopic skin may contribute to the pathogenesis of HSPA.HSPA might be recognized as one of the allergies related to atopic dermatitis.