Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2006 Mar;26(1):78-82.

A Case of Human Seminal Plasma Allergy Presenting as a Severe Generalized Urticaria

Abstract

Human seminal plasma allergy is a rare allergic disease, which shows allergic responses to human seminal plasma allergens usually after coitus. If a female, who is sensitized to human seminal fluid, comes in contact with it again during coitus, she shows local or systemic allergic responses such as localized skin lesions, urticaria, generalized itching, short of breath, cough, rhinitis symptoms, or anaphylaxis. It is generally accepted that these allergic responses are mediated by type I hypersensitivity reaction. A 50-year-old female presented to allergy clinic after the onset of recurrent acute urticaria. It developed 3 months ago and always appeared after coitus. She was remarried six years ago and had had no problem with her ex-husband who passed away 17 years ago. She experienced generalized itching and urticaria immediately after coitus. She presented a strong positive response to seminal fluid diluent by the skin prick test. On IgE immunoblotting assay with the patient's serum, there were several IgE binding components in the seminal plasma proteins (15, 28, 35, 45, and 90 kDa). She was recommended to use condom during coitus and have not experienced urticaria there after.

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Anaphylaxis
Coitus
Condoms
Cough
Female
Humans*
Hypersensitivity*
Hypersensitivity, Immediate
Immunoblotting
Immunoglobulin E
Middle Aged
Pruritus
Rhinitis
Semen*
Seminal Plasma Proteins
Skin
Urticaria*
Allergens
Immunoglobulin E
Seminal Plasma Proteins