Immediate hypersensitivity to seminal fluid and atopic dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Dermatology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
• Hypersensitivity reactions can be triggered by various allergens, including proteins.

Observation:

• A patient with atopic dermatitis presented with anaphylactic episodes after sexual intercourse.
• These episodes correlated with exacerbations of her atopic dermatitis.
• The patient exhibited immediate hypersensitivity to seminal fluid.

Findings:

• Diagnosis of immediate hypersensitivity to seminal fluid was confirmed via skin testing and leukocyte histamine release assay.
• Radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) identified specific IgE antibodies against seminal plasma protein in the patient's serum.
• The identified seminal fluid antigen was also present in the serum of the patient's husband and unrelated men, appearing within 12 hours post-ejaculation.

Implications:

• This case highlights seminal fluid as a potential allergen causing anaphylaxis and exacerbating atopic dermatitis.
• Understanding this specific allergy is crucial for diagnosis and management in affected individuals.
• Immunotherapy with seminal plasma showed potential in mitigating subsequent allergic reactions, suggesting a possible treatment avenue.