Zebra Cards > Update > Genitourinary > GU-004  
 

    GU-004Prior: GU·003 « Nav » Next: GU·005
Generalized urticaria, dyspnea, cardiovascular collapse, and loss of consciousness in a woman a few minutes after coitus
    Differential Diagnosis[Top] [Nav]
anaphylaxis to seminal fluid
    Discussion -- not available online[Top] [Nav]
    Notes[Top] [Nav]
       *The brief mention of allergy to latex condoms in this card presaged a torrent of publications on latex allergy that continues to this day. Clearly, latex allergy is no zebra now.
    Update Comments[Top] [Nav]
  • Includes cases in men, so it must be a different mechanism. [101]
  • Report of a single patient. She remains desensitized as long as she is exposed to her husband's semen at least every 48 hours. [102]
  • Reports that 0.1 percent of the protein in the human placenta is of retroviral origin. The authors speculate that this protein may be important in letting the mother tolerate the "foreign" proteins of the fetus. If true, it would be a nice example of genetic opportunism on the part of humans -- using a retrovirus for our benefit. [103]
  • Of course, all cardiac arrests during intercourse are not immunologically mediated. [104]
  • Latex is a natural product of the Brazilian rubber tree, to which various chemicals are added during processing. "Hypoallergenic" gloves lack these additives, thereby reducing the incidence of contact dermatitis (a type IV reaction) in glove-wearers. True latex allergy, however, is a type I reaction to protein(s) in latex, so hypoallergenic gloves are of no benefit in these cases. [105]
  • Landmark report of 6 cases occurring in one institution over a 14 month period. [110]
  • The Food and Drug Administration's position. Also appears in FDA Medical Bulletin July 1991;2-3. [111]
  • Describes anaphylaxis to rubber occurring in children with spina bifida. Hypothesizes that frequent exposures to rubber during medical procedures early in life induces allergy. [112]
  • Medication vials have rubber diaphragms. (Unclear if this has ever had clinical effect.) Single-dose ampules may, therefore, be safer in patients highly allergic to rubber. [113]
  • Latex particles have been found in outdoor air, probably because the friction between vehicle tires and the roadway aerosolizes latex in the tire. [114]
  • Reports that the powder in surgical gloves can also trigger anaphylaxis. [117]
  • Between 8 and 13% of US Army dentists report allergy to latex gloves. Other health care workers also have high rates of latex allergy. [119]
    Footnotes in Print Edition[Top] [Nav]
    (1) Clinical and immunological study of an exceptional case of reaginic type sensitization to human seminal fluid.
  Halpern BN, Ky T, et al.   Immunology 1967 Mar;12(3):247-58.  Pubmed  Similars
    (2) Anaphylactic sensitivity to human seminal fluid.
  Frankland AW, Parish WE.   Clin Allergy 1974 Sep;4(3):249-53.  Pubmed  Similars
    (3) Localized and systemic hypersensitivity reactions to human seminal fluid.
  Bernstein IL, Englander BE, et al.   Ann Intern Med 1981 Apr;94(4 pt 1):459-65.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    (4) Clinical Aspects of Immunology. 4th ed.
  Lachmann PJ, Peters DK (eds). Oxford: Blackwell, 1982: 243, 1110.
    (5) Postcoital urticaria in a penicillin-sensitive patient. Possible seminal transfer of penicillin.
  Green RL, Green MA.   JAMA 1985 Jul 26;254(4):531.  Pubmed  Similars
    (6) Wave of contact dermatitis from latex expected.
  Anonymous.   Internal Medicine News. 1988;21(14):9.
    (-) Bestiality, with sensitization and anaphylactic reaction.
  Holden TE, Sherline DM.   Obstet Gynecol 1973 Jul;42(1):138-40.  Pubmed  Similars
    (M) McKusick 193450 = allergic seminal vulvovaginitis.
    New References[Top] [Nav]
Sex and allergy
    101.Postcoital asthma and rhinitis [see comments].
  Shah A, Sircar M.   Chest 1991 Oct;100(4):1039-41.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    102.Local intravaginal desensitization to seminal fluid.
  Matloff SM.   J Allergy Clin Immunol 1993 Jun;91(6):1230-1.  Pubmed  Similars
    103.Abundance of an endogenous retroviral envelope protein in placental trophoblasts suggests a biological function.
  Venables PJ, Brookes SM, et al.   Virology 1995 Aug 20;211(2):589-92.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    104.Use of auscultation to follow patients with mitral systolic clicks and murmurs [see comments].
  Tofler OB, Tofler GH.   Am J Cardiol 1990 Dec 1;66(19):1355-8.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
Reviews of latex allergy
    105.Latex is a natural product of the Brazilian rubber tree, to which various chemicals are added during processing. "Hypoallergenic" gloves lack these additives, thereby reducing the incidence of contact dermatitis (a type IV reaction) in glove-wearers. True latex allergy, however, is a type I reaction to protein(s) in latex, so hypoallergenic gloves are of no benefit in these cases.
    106.The spectrum of IgE-mediated responses to latex [see comments].
  Sussman GL, Tarlo S, et al.   JAMA 1991 Jun 5;265(21):2844-7.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    107.Allergy to latex rubber [see comments].
  Sussman GL, Beezhold DH.   Ann Intern Med 1995 Jan 1;122(1):43-6.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    108.Latex allergy--an emerging healthcare problem. Latex Hypersensitivity Committee [see comments].
  Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1995 Jul;75(1):19-21.  Pubmed  Similars
    109.Latex allergy. Review of 44 cases including outcome and frequent association with allergic hand eczema.
  Taylor JS, Praditsuwan P.   Arch Dermatol 1996 Mar;132(3):265-71.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
Exposures to latex and related allergens
    110.Anaphylaxis associated with latex allergy during barium enema examinations.
  Ownby DR, Tomlanovich M, et al.   AJR Am J Roentgenol 1991 May;156(5):903-8.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    111.Allergic reactions to latex-containing medical devices.
  NEHW Health Watch 1991;11(3):5.  Pubmed  Similars
    112.Rubber anaphylaxis [see comments].
  Slater JE.   N Engl J Med 1989 Apr 27;320(17):1126-30.  Pubmed  Similars
    113.Rubber anaphylaxis [letter].
  Silverman HI.   N Engl J Med 1989 Sep 21;321(12):837.  Pubmed  Similars
    114.Latex allergen in respirable particulate air pollution.
  Williams PB, Buhr MP, et al.   J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995 Jan;95(1 Pt 1):88-95.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    115.Cross-reacting allergens in natural rubber latex and avocado.
  Ahlroth M, Alenius H, et al.   J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995 Aug;96(2):167-73.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    116.Hypersensitivity to latex, chestnut, and banana [see comments].
  Rodriguez M, Vega F, et al.   Ann Allergy 1993 Jan;70(1):31-4.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    117.Anaphylaxis due to cornstarch surgical glove powder.
  Seggev JS, Mawhinney TP, et al.   Ann Allergy 1990 Aug;65(2):152-5.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
Latex allergy in health care workers
    118.Allergic reactions to latex among health-care workers [see comments].
  Bubak ME, Reed CE, et al.   Mayo Clin Proc 1992 Nov;67(11):1075-9.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    119.Latex glove allergy. A survey of the US Army Dental Corps [see comments].
  Berky ZT, Luciano WJ, et al.   JAMA 1992 Nov 18;268(19):2695-7.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    120.Managing latex allergy in patients and health care workers.
  Melton AL.   Cleve Clin J Med 1997 Feb;64(2):76-82.  Pubmed+Abstract  Similars
    121.Latex-induced asthma among health care workers [news].
  Voelker R.   JAMA 1995 Mar 8;273(10):764.  Pubmed  Similars
    Navigation[Top]
    GU:  001  002  003  004  005  006  007  008  009  010  011
    AB BL DI EA EN EX EY FA GE GI GU HD HE IM LU MO MU NC NE NO SK TH VI WI
    All systems
    ©1986-2000 John Sotos, MD. All rights reserved.  Last updated 16:34 PDT on July 4, 2000.[Top]

Home  |  Search  |  Site Map  |  Order  |  Update  |  Feedback  |  Top  |  Prior  |  Next