Allergy to human seminal fluid: cross-reactivity with dog dander.
BACKGROUND
Human seminal plasma (HSP) allergy is uncommon, with symptoms ranging from vulvovaginal pruritus to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Although several seminal plasma allergens have been reported and their molecular masses have been estimated to range between 12 and 75 kd, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has recently been identified as a causative allergen. Given that in a large number of cases symptoms appeared during or after the first intercourse, a cross-reactivity phenomenon might be implicated.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the presence of IgE cross-reactivity among proteins from dog epithelium and HSP and to attempt to identify the allergens involved.


METHODS
Forty-one patients with dog epithelium allergy were selected. One of them experienced anaphylaxis in contact with her husband's seminal plasma. Skin prick tests, serum specific IgE measurements, SDS-PAGE immunoblotting, and inhibition tests were performed to study the pattern of IgE-binding proteins and the potential cross-reactivity between HSP and dog epithelium. Mass spectrometry was carried out to identify the protein involved in allergy reactions.


RESULTS
Twenty-four percent of the sera from patients with dog epithelium allergy recognized an IgE-binding band of 28 kd in HSP immunoblotting. Mass spectrometry identified this band as the PSA. SDS-PAGE immunoblotting-inhibition showed a complete IgE-binding inhibition when sera from these patients were preincubated with dog dander extract.


CONCLUSIONS
IgE cross-reactivity among proteins from dog dander and human PSA is demonstrated.
Allergy Department, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 34917mbt@comb.es
Maria
M
Basagaña
Borja
B
Bartolomé
Carlos
C
Pastor
Ferran
F
Torres
Rosario
R
Alonso
Fernando
F
Vivanco
Anna
A
Cisteró-Bahíma
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen