Successful long-term immunotherapy for human seminal plasma anaphylaxis
S. A. Friedman, I. L. Bernstein, M. Enrione and Z. H. Marcus
Anaphylactic sensitivity to her husband's seminal fluid occurred in a
46-year-old woman six weeks after a hysterectomy. Her husband was
azoospermic as a result of an elective vasectomy. A pooled sample of his
seminal fluid was used for skin and laboratory tests. Fractionating
(Sephadex G100) chromatography was also performed on his seminal fluid. The
patient showed positive intracutaneous skin tests to his unfractionated
seminal plasma and a Sephadex G100 fraction designated No. 3. This fraction
was also passively transferable to a nonallergic volunteer and it
stimulated histamine release from the patient's leukocytes. The
dose-response effects of this fraction compared with unfractionated seminal
plasma in these assays showed greater bioactivity. After informed consent
was obtained, the patient was immunized to fraction 3 in a classic
desensitization protocol. Two weeks after the final dose of immunotherapy,
intercourse was performed without condoms in a medical facility and under
the supervision of a physician. No adverse symptoms were experienced by the
patient on this occasion. Regular and frequent sexual activity is required
to maintain her tolerant state.
