Anaphylaxis to the Carbohydrate Side Chain Alpha-gal

Do Tick Attachment Times Vary between Different Tick-Pathogen Systems?

“…In the US, alpha-gal syndrome has become most common in the southeast [93] and meat allergies (e.g., beef, lamb, pork, venison, cow milk) are associated with A. americanum prevalence [94]. It is unknown how long a tick must be attached in order for the alpha-gal sensitivity to occur.…”

An unusual case of positive sIgE to Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose from South Italy

“…The evidence about ticks as a cause of the IgE response is good, but certainly it does not exclude a role for other parasitic exposures (11). Why some positive α-Gal patients develop delayed-onset anaphylaxis after the ingestion of red meat and others do not, is a question that needs to be answered.…”

Delayed red meat allergy: clinical ramifications of galactose-α-1,3-galactose sensitization

“…The natural vectors for A americanum are deer (primarily the white-tailed deer) and small animals. 10,11,15 The geographic region is believed to be expanding. Image was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.CDC.gov/) and is in the public domain.…”

“…In an office, challenges are complicated by the need to monitor for at least 6 hours after the single dose of meat and the reactions can include anaphylaxis despite a history of only urticarial reactions. 15 A typical patient would be expected to have elevated IgE titers to alpha-gal, beef, lamb, and pork with negative IgE titers to chicken, turkey, and fish. If checked, then IgE titers to cow's milk, cat, and dog also might be positive.…”

“…9,10 Currently, the distribution of A americanum in the United States is primarily in the Southeast; however, investigators believe the geographic area of the tick is continuing to expand (Fig 2). 10,14,15 Other ticks have been identified as vectors in different countries, such as Ixodes ricinius in Europe and Ixodes holocyclus in Australia. 16,17 Pathophysiology…”