Alpha-gal syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome
Other namesAlpha-gal syndrome (AGS)
Acquired red meat allergy
Mammalian meat allergy (MMA)
SpecialtyAllergy, immunology
SymptomsAbdominal pain, anaphylaxis, angiodema, headaches, congestion, diarrhea, faintness, hives, nausea, rhinorrhea often with sternutation
Usual onsetDelayed
DurationUnknown
CausesBites from certain species of ticks
Diagnostic methodClinical diagnosis, blood tests
PreventionAvoidance of tick bites
TreatmentAnti-histamines, epinephrine, desensitization

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as alpha-gal allergy or mammalian meat allergy (MMA),[1] is a type of acquired allergy characterized by a delayed onset of symptoms (3–8 hours) after ingesting mammalian meat. The condition results from past exposure to certain tick bites. It was first reported in 2002. Symptoms of the allergy vary greatly between individuals and include rash, hives, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness or faintness, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, and possible anaphylaxis.[2][3]

Alpha-gal allergy is a reaction to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose ("alpha-gal"), whereby the body is overloaded with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies on exposure to the carbohydrate.[4] Anti-gal is a human natural antibody that interacts specifically with the mammalian carbohydrate structure gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (the alpha-galactosyl epitope).[5] The alpha-gal molecule is found in all mammals except catarrhines (apes and Old World monkeys),[5] the taxonomic branch that includes humans.

In 2006, researchers Thomas Platts-Mills and Scott Commins attempted to discover why some people were allergic to the cancer drug cetuximab.[6][7][8] They discovered that these individuals had IgE antibodies in their blood that were specifically targeted to the portion of cetuximab which contained the alpha-gal carbohydrate.[8] When Platts-Mills was bitten by a tick and developed alpha-gal allergies, his team came to the conclusion that a link existed between tick bites and the allergy.[9] They found that the IgE antibody response to the mammalian oligosaccharide epitope alpha-gal was associated with both the immediate-onset anaphylaxis during first exposure to intravenous cetuximab and the delayed-onset anaphylaxis 3 to 6 hours after ingestion of mammalian food products, such as beef or pork.

Bites from specific tick species, such as the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) in the US, and the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) in Australia, which can transfer this carbohydrate to a victim, have been implicated in the development of this delayed allergic response to consumption of mammalian meat products ("red meat").[2] Healthcare providers recommend avoiding food products containing beef, pork, lamb, venison, rabbit, and offal to avoid triggering an allergic reaction.[2][10] Some afflicted individuals are so hypersensitive to alpha-gal that the allergy can cross-react with mammalian gelatin and even some dairy products.[2][10] Individuals with an alpha-gal allergy do not need to become strict vegetarians because reptile meats, poultry - including red meat from ostriches, emus, and other ratites, and seafood naturally do not contain alpha-gal.[2] Increasing evidence now suggests reactions to certain substances with traces of alpha-gal used in the preparation of certain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other analgesics and pain medications.[3]

Alpha-gal allergy has been reported in 17 countries on all six continents where humans are bitten by ticks, particularly the United States and Australia.[11] Alpha-gal allergies are the first known food allergies that present the possibility of delayed anaphylaxis.[12][13][14] They are also the first known food-related allergies associated with a carbohydrate, rather than a protein.[13][15]

  1. ^ Catalyst (ABC-TV program) first aired 8 November 2016
  2. ^ a b c d e "Alpha-gal syndrome". US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  3. ^ a b Vaz-Rodrigues, Rita; Mazuecos, Lorena; de la Fuente, José (July 2022). "Current and Future Strategies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS)". Journal of Asthma and Allergy. 15: 957–970. doi:10.2147/JAA.S265660. ISSN 1178-6965. PMC 9307871. PMID 35879928.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b Galili U (1993). "Evolution and pathophysiology of the human natural anti-alpha-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody". Springer Seminars in Immunopathology. 15 (2–3): 155–71. doi:10.1007/bf00201098. PMID 7504839. S2CID 33149564.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Post was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Commins was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Kwak M, Somerville C, van Nunen S (July 2018). "A novel Australian tick Ixodes (Endopalpiger) australiensis inducing mammalian meat allergy after tick bite". Asia Pacific Allergy. 8 (3): e31. doi:10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e31. PMC 6073180. PMID 30079309.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference first was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ a b Alvarez, Amanda (July 25, 2012). "Tick bite leads to curious meat allergy". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  14. ^ "'Alpha-Gal' Syndrome". Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk County. Cornell University.
  15. ^ Smith, Olivia (June 20, 2012). "Ticks causing mysterious meat allergy". CNN.