Human seminal plasma allergy in India
Shah, A.; Sethi, S.; Agarwal, M.K.
Journal of Asthma Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma 25(3): 137-140
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0277-0903 PMID: 3182586 DOI: 10.3109/02770908809073201Document Number: 361022
Although human seminal plasma allergy (HSPA) in women has been documented in the West, the authors report the 1st such case from India. The patient, an 18-year-old, presented with a 2-year history of episodic wheezing dyspnea. Among the factors suggestive of this diagnosis were: 1) since her 1st intercourse, she experienced intense burning and irritation of the vagina after her husband's ejaculation; 2) her respiratory symptoms emerged 5 months after marriage; 3) the patient was symptom-free during her menstrual periods; 4) the patient was asymptomatic during periods of travel unaccompanied by her husband; and 5) the patient had never conceived despite nonuse of contraception. After her husband began using a condom, the patient reported a dramatic relief of symptoms. Intradermal tests with seminal plasma antigen prepared from the patient's husband and a healthy volunteer were markedly positive in the patient; similar tests on her husband were negative. Contrary to most previous cases, this patient did not have a personal or family history of atopy. Also notable in this case was the progression from local to systemic manifestations. Although this is the 1st reported case of HSPA in India, the condition may not be as rare as it seems.