| Alpha-gal allergy | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Red meat allergy, tick bite meat allergy, mammalian meat allergy, galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) syndrome[1][2] |
 | |
| Reaction is triggered products that contain alpha-gel, such as roast beef | |
| Specialty | Allergist |
| Symptoms | Hives, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, abdominal pain[1] |
| Usual onset | 2 to 6 hrs post exposure[1] |
| Causes | Bites from certain types of ticks[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptom and blood tests[3] |
| Prevention | Avoiding tick bites[1][4] |
| Treatment | Avoiding products containing alpha-gel (meat and possibly dairy from mammals)[3][1] |
| Medication | Epinephrine[5] |
| Frequency | Uncommon[5] |
Alpha-gal allergy, also known as red meat allergy, is a type of allergic reaction that occurs after exposure to products containing alpha-gal, such as eating red meat.[1] Symptoms can include hives, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and abdominal pain.[1] Often onset is two to six hours after exposure.[1] Complications can include anaphylaxis.[1]
The condition is believed to be triggered by certain tick bites; such as lone star ticks in the USA, and paralysis ticks in Australia.[1][2] The underlying mechanism involves the body producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that react to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).[6] Other factors that may worsen the reaction include alcohol, recent exercise, spices, and NSAIDs.[2] Diagnosis is based on symptom and testing IgE to alpha-gal blood levels.[3]
Management involves avoiding products that contain alpha-gel.[1] Often this means avoiding meat and possibly dairy from mammals.[3] In certain cases gelatin needs to also be avoided.[3] Medications that contain alpha-gal may include heparin and cetuximab.[6][7] In those who developed anaphylaxis epinephrine is used.[5] Further tick bites should be avoided, as this may worsen the condition.[1] Prevention is by avoiding tick bites, such as by treating clothing with permethrin and using DEET.[1][4]
Alpha-gal allergy has been reported in 17 countries on six continents.[2] In certain parts of Australia about 113 per 100,000 are affected, while about 13 per 100,000 have the condition in Virginia and 4 per 100,000 in certain parts of Germany.[2] The condition was first described in 2006 and 2007 by Sheryl van Nunen.[6][2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Alpha-gal syndrome | CDC". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 28 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Nunen, Sheryl A (April 2018). "Tick‐induced allergies: mammalian meat allergy and tick anaphylaxis". Medical Journal of Australia. 208 (7): 316–321. doi:10.5694/mja17.00591.
- ^ a b c d e Platts-Mills, TAE; Li, RC; Keshavarz, B; Smith, AR; Wilson, JM (January 2020). "Diagnosis and Management of Patients with the α-Gal Syndrome". The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice. 8 (1): 15-23.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2019.09.017. PMID 31568928.
- ^ a b "Preventing tick bites on people | CDC". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "Meat Allergy". ACAAI Public Website. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ a b c Commins SP, Platts-Mills TA (February 2013). "Delayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE specific for galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal)". Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 13 (1): 72–7. doi:10.1007/s11882-012-0315-y. PMC 3545071. PMID 23054628.
- ^ "Products that may contain alpha-gal | Ticks | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 19 October 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.