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- Published on: 11 September 2019
- Published on: 11 September 2019The importance of adequate allergological studies in order to confirm the penicillin sensitization through seminal fluid
The publication of a clinical case in the BMJ Case Report on March 8 [1], entitled "Anaphylaxis probably induced by transfer of amoxicillin via oral sex", has resulted in interest in social networks, local and national press, radio, and television, reporting with big headlines of such allergic reaction, but without contrasting the work assessing the scientific content and experimental support.
The article reports the case of a woman with a history of allergy to penicillin in childhood who, after having sexual intercourse (vaginal and oral) with her partner, who was being treated for otitis media with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ibuprofen, presents dyspnea, vomiting, and urticaria. The patient had not ingested any unusual food. She was diagnosed with anaphylaxis probably induced by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid transfer in the seminal fluid of the couple through oral sex. This diagnosis was based solely on a skin reaction suffered in her childhood after taking amoxicillin (no description of how that diagnosis was made) and a probability algorithm [2]. No allergological investigation was conducted at the time of the reaction.
Previous studies have shown that seminal fluid can serve as a route of transmission of ingested allergens, such as nut proteins [3], and drugs such as vinblastine [4], and penicillin [5]. The latter study was the only one in which intradermal tests with penicillin, with a positive result, and intra-epidermal tests with semen, w...
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None declared.