title: Testing for hypersensitivity to seminal fluid-free spermatozoa.
abstract: Hypersensitivity to human semen (HHS) is an increasingly reported condition with symptoms manifested locally and systemically, which in some cases may result in anaphylaxis. This report describes four cases of HHS all with positive allergy skin prick tests to partner's whole semen. None of the patients elicited a response to seminal fluid-free washed spermatozoa. In cases of high risk of anaphylaxis, we recommend avoiding exposure to semen. By carrying out an allergy skin prick test on seminal fluid-free washed spermatozoa, the risk of immunogenic reaction to the spermatozoa could be eliminated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK. michael.carroll@mmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antrobus
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brison
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult