Repeated Amblyomma testudinarium tick bites are associated with increased galactose-α-1,3-galactose carbohydrate IgE antibody levels: A retrospective cohort study in a single institution

Pruritus in ordinary scabies: IL‐31 from macrophages induced by overexpression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and periostin

“…A recent study showed changes in immune responses during tick bites. Patients with primary tick bite displayed a higher number of macrophages and lower number of basophils in the lesions . In contrast, patients with a history of repeated tick bites (>2) had a smaller number of macrophages but larger numbers of basophils.…”

The contribution made by skin‐infiltrating basophils to the development of alpha‐gal syndrome

“…Nevertheless, over evolutionary time, primates such as humans have lost this because of loss of galactosyltransferase, the enzyme required for its production and large amounts of IgM and IgG, but not IgE, antibodies specific to this molecule are naturally produced in healthy individuals; however, certain patients that have been bitten by ticks that harbor this carbohydrate 1 and may develop alpha-gal syndrome, an immediate-type hypersensitivity to red meat and drugs containing alpha-gal, 2 which is mediated by antialpha-gal IgE antibody. Although we and others have recently reported that a recurrent tick bite history is associated with the development of alpha-gal syndrome, 3,4 little is known about how tick bites are involved in the development of alpha-gal syndrome. To investigate this in more detail, we stratified the patients visiting our hospital with new tick bites according to their past tick bite histories, where the historical number of bites they had received was added to the new one (1 tick bite [1°], 2 tick bites [2°], or ≥3 tick bites [≥3°]).…”

“…We also investigated basophil number in the skin bitten by ticks as previously described. 3 In the 1° group, basophil infiltration was around 10 cells/ HPF or less during the time course after the bites occurred ( Figure 1B).…”

Mammalian meat allergy

“…It is understood that for IgE to be produced specific to α ‐gal, a provoking agent (tick bite) is needed to generate a state of allergy proneness promoting the development of a Th2 cytokine profile whereby class‐switching to IgE can occur. These IgE antibodies will be specific for either α ‐gal, tick salivary proteins, or both; however, the tendency toward developing the α ‐gal allergy is dependent on individual susceptibility …”

“…These IgE antibodies will be specific for either a-gal, tick salivary proteins, or both; however, the tendency toward developing the a-gal allergy is dependent on individual susceptibility. 4,10…”