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Case Report

 

Dangerous Liaison: Sexually Transmitted Allergic Reaction to Brazil Nuts

 

AS Bansal, R Chee, V Nagendran, A Warner, G Hayman

Department of Immunology, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, Surrey, England

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2007; Vol. 17(3): 189-191

 

 Abstract


Brazil nuts are the second most frequent cause of nut allergy in the United Kingdom. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with documented Brazil nut allergy who developed widespread urticaria and mild dyspnea after intercourse with her boyfriend who had earlier consumed Brazil nuts. Skin prick testing with the boyfriend’s semen after Brazil nut consumption confirmed signifi ant reactivity whereas a sample before nut consumption was negative. We believe this to be the first case of a sexually transmitted allergic reaction.

Key words: Brazil nut allergy. Semen. Sexual transmission.