Asthma caused by human seminal plasma allergy

Human seminal plasma allergy (HSPA) in women is a rare phenomenon and can be life-threatening. Hypersensitivity reactions occur during or immediately after coitus and are usually caused by sensitization to proteins in the seminal fluid. This can be very distressing for the patients and their partners. Young, married female patients with episodic asthma dating to their marriage with a history of difficulty in conceiving were specifically asked for local and systemic symptoms chronologically related to coitus. This methodology was adopted keeping in view our social conditions and sensitive nature of the information sought. Two patients thus detected were evaluated further. Condom usage, on our advice, abolished both local and systemic postcoital symptoms. Both patients tested positive to intradermal skin test with the seminal plasma antigen (SPA) derived from their respective husbands and, in patient 1, was accompanied by intense burning, irritation, and itching of the skin. Specific IgE against SPA was demonstrated in the serum of both patients. Elevated levels of total IgE were also detected. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose HSPA, especially the local forms, which can easily be overlooked due to patient embarrassment and lack of physician awareness.