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Didziokaite G, Kuznecovaite A, Biliute G, Kvedariene V. Case report: Human seminal plasma allergy diagnosis for a woman with unexplained infertility. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1403477. [PMID: 39267972 PMCID: PMC11390391 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1403477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Infertility is a pressing global public health concern, affecting millions worldwide, and the diagnosis of unexplained infertility poses particular challenges. Human seminal plasma allergy, a rarely diagnosed type I hypersensitivity reaction, emerges as a potential but often overlooked contributor to female infertility. With rare reported cases globally, the condition's low awareness and insufficient differential diagnosis may mask its actual prevalence. Case report This case report presents the clinical case of a 29-year-old woman with unexplained infertility who underwent two unsuccessful IVF procedures and was subsequently diagnosed with human seminal plasma allergy. The patient, known for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis exacerbated by inhalant allergens, exhibited eosinophilia and a history of local allergy symptoms (burning sensation, vulvar pruritus, edema, and general discomfort) as well as sneezing and nasal congestion following unprotected intercourse-symptoms compatible with human seminal plasma allergy. Molecular allergy diagnostics revealed pronounced sensitization to dust mites and Can f 5, a canine-specific allergen. A positive skin prick test using her partner's sperm confirmed the diagnosis of human seminal plasma allergy. The patient's medical history also includes mild endometriosis, raising questions about the interplay between allergic conditions and fertility. Treatment options such as barrier contraception, antihistamine therapy, and sperm desensitization are discussed. Conclusion Highlighting the need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals, this case emphasizes the significance of reporting and sharing clinical experiences to enhance our understanding of this rare condition. As researchers continue to accumulate relevant information, a more comprehensive understanding of human seminal plasma allergy and its potential impact on female fertility will contribute to improved diagnostic protocols and expanded treatment options. This case report contributes to the growing body of knowledge surrounding this rare allergy, serving as a reminder of possible intricate relationships between allergic conditions and reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabija Didziokaite
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Gabija Biliute
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Violeta Kvedariene
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Innovative Allergology Center, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Yifei Huang E, Hansen AV, Tidemandsen C, la Cour Freiesleben N, Nielsen HS, Backer V, Ulrik CS. Anxiety and depression in women with asthma prior to fertility treatment. Eur Clin Respir J 2023; 10:2221376. [PMID: 37313367 PMCID: PMC10259298 DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2023.2221376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We investigate symptoms of anxiety and depression among women with asthma prior to fertility treatment. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of women screened for eligibility to the PRO-ART study (RCT of omalizumab versus placebo in asthmatic women undergoing fertility treatment (NCT03727971)). All participants were scheduled for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment at four public fertility clinics in Denmark. Data on demographics and asthma control (ACQ-5) were obtained. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and D, respectively) and defined as being present on both subscales if a score >7 was obtained. Spirometry, diagnostic asthma test, and measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were conducted. Results A total of 109 women with asthma were included (mean age 31.8 ± 4.6 and BMI 25.5 ± 4.6). Most women had male factor infertility (36.4%) or unexplained infertility (35.5%). Twenty-two percent of the patients reported uncontrolled asthma (ACQ-5 score > 1.5). The mean HADS-A and HADS-D scores were 6.0 ± 3.8 (95% CI 5.3-6.7) and 2.5 ± 2.2 (95% CI 2.1-3.0), respectively. Thirty (28.0%) women reported anxiety symptoms, and four (3.7%) had concomitant depressive symptoms. Uncontrolled asthma was significantly associated with both depressive (p = 0.04) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.03). Conclusions More than 25% of women with asthma prior to fertility treatment had self-reported symptoms of anxiety, and just below 5% had self-reported depressive symptoms, possibly related to uncontrolled asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Yifei Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital – Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Vejen Hansen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital – Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casper Tidemandsen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital – Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nina la Cour Freiesleben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Backer
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Suppli Ulrik
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital – Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Carnovale C, Parisi F, Battini V, Zavatta A, Cheli S, Cattaneo D, Gringeri M, Mosini G, Guarnieri G, Cammarata G, Cetin I. The use of biological agents in pregnant women affected by autoimmune disorders: Why we need more research of this neglected area. Pharmacol Res 2021; 171:105786. [PMID: 34314858 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Women of childbearing age are largely affected by several autoimmune disorders (the estimates range between 1.5 and 10 per 10,000). The increasing number of effective biological agents has dramatically revolutionized the treatment of these clinical conditions, ameliorating the patient's quality of life. The use of these agents by women during pregnancy is growing to ensure the disease activity control and avoid adverse health outcomes. However, for many newer biological agents, the degree of information concerning their use in pregnancy is often incomplete to perform a conclusive risk assessment on fetal and maternal health given the exclusion of this specific population from pharmacological clinical trials. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed the unacceptable inequities of pharmacological research and medical treatment for pregnant and lactating women, exacerbating the need for filling the gaps of quantitative and qualitative pharmacology data in this sensitive population. ere we summarize (i) what is already known about safety and effectiveness of biological agents in this understudied population (with specific focus on pregnancy-related health outcomes), and what we are going to learn from the on-going studies among pregnant women treated with biological agents; (ii) the methodological and ethical considerations that characterize the pharmacological research in pregnancy, also discussing emerging evidence on the use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in this clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Carnovale
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Parisi
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, "V. Buzzi" Children Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Vera Battini
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Zavatta
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, "V. Buzzi" Children Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Cheli
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Via GB Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Cattaneo
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Via GB Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Gringeri
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Mosini
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Guarnieri
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cammarata
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, "Luigi Sacco" University Hospital, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Cetin
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, "V. Buzzi" Children Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20141 Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
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