Alpha-galactose allergy: Difference between revisions
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'''Alpha-galactose allergy''' | '''Alpha-galactose allergy''' (also known as '''alpha-gal allergy''', '''alpha-gal syndrome''', or '''mammalian meat allergy (MMA)''') is a reaction to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Hilger | first = Christiane | last2 = Fischer | first2 = Jörg | last3 = Wölbing | first3 = Florian | last4 = Biedermann | first4 = Tilo | date = 2019 | title=Role and Mechanism of Galactose-Alpha-1,3-Galactose in the Elicitation of Delayed Anaphylactic Reactions to Red Meat | url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6344609/ | journal = Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | volume = 19 | issue = 1|doi=10.1007/s11882-019-0835-9|issn=1529-7322|pmc=6344609|pmid=30673913}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.emjreviews.com/allergy-immunology/article/the-oligosaccharide-galactose-%ce%b1-13-galactose-and-the-%ce%b1-gal-syndrome-insights-from-an-epitope-that-is-causal-in-immunoglobulin-e-mediated-immediate-and-delayed-anaphylaxis/ | title = The Oligosaccharide Galactose-α-1,3-Galactose and the α-Gal Syndrome: Insights from an Epitope that is Causal in Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Immediate and Delayed Anaphylaxis | date = 2018-07-17 | website = European Medical Journal|language=en-GB | access-date = 2019-12-09}}</ref> In alpha-galactose allergy, the body experiences a sharp increase in [[immunoglobulin E]] (IgE) upon contact with the meat-derived carbohydrate.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Commins | first = Scott P. | last2 = Platts-Mills | first2 = Thomas A.E. | date = Feb 2013 | title = Delayed Anaphylaxis to Red Meat in Patients with IgE Specific for Galactose alpha-1,3-Galactose (alpha-gal) | url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545071/ | journal = Current allergy and asthma reports | volume = 13 | issue = 1 | pages = 72–77|doi=10.1007/s11882-012-0315-y|issn=1529-7322|pmc=3545071|pmid=23054628}}</ref> | ||
The alpha-gal molecule is found in all mammals except apes, humans, and Old World monkeys.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Galili|first=Uri|date=1993-09-01|title=Evolution and pathophysiology of the human natural anti-α-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201098|journal=Springer Seminars in Immunopathology|language=en|volume=15|issue=2|pages=155–171|doi=10.1007/BF00201098|issn=1432-2196}}</ref> | The alpha-gal molecule is found in all mammals except apes, humans, and Old World monkeys.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Galili | first = Uri | date = 1993-09-01 | title = Evolution and pathophysiology of the human natural anti-α-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody | url = https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201098 | journal = Springer Seminars in Immunopathology|language=en | volume = 15 | issue = 2 | pages = 155–171|doi=10.1007/BF00201098|issn=1432-2196}}</ref> Since humans do not naturally produce this carbohydrate, humans do not have an pre-existing immune tolerance to the carbohydrate. The [[allergy]] most often begins when a Lone Star tick bite transmits alpha-gal into the body. In some people, an [[immune system]] reaction may later produce mild to severe [[Allergy|allergic reactions]] when red meat is eaten.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web | url = https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alpha-gal-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20428608 | title = Alpha-gal syndrome - Symptoms and causes | website = Mayo Clinic|language=en | access-date = 2019-10-27}}</ref> | ||
The cancer drug | The cancer drug cetuximab (trade name Erbitux) contains the alpha-gal carbohydrate, since it is manufactured from mice. Cetuximab can cause a reaction in people who live in regions with a high population of Lone Star ticks, suggesting a link between Lone Star tick bites and an increased vulnerability to alpha-gal syndrome.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
There is no treatment other than not eating red meat.<ref name=":0" /> | There is no treatment, other than not eating red meat.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
* Sneezing | * Sneezing | ||
* [[Headache|Headaches]] | * [[Headache|Headaches]] | ||
* [[Anaphylaxis]], a severe, potentially deadly allergic reaction that restricts breathing<ref>{{Cite journal|date=Feb 2019|title=Omalizumab|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40278-019-58147-3|journal=Reactions Weekly|volume=1740|issue=1|pages=254–254|doi=10.1007/s40278-019-58147-3|issn=0114-9954}}</ref> | * [[Anaphylaxis]], a severe, potentially deadly allergic reaction that restricts breathing<ref>{{Cite journal | date = Feb 2019 | title = Omalizumab | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40278-019-58147-3 | journal = Reactions Weekly | volume = 1740 | issue = 1 | pages = 254–254|doi=10.1007/s40278-019-58147-3|issn=0114-9954}}</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
== Learn more == | == Learn more == | ||
* | * [https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/meat-allergy Meat Allergy] by ACAAI.org | ||
* | * Jan 18, 2019 [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-18/how-ticks-can-cause-mammalian-meat-allergy/10719136 Mammalian meat allergy: How tick bites can cause allergic reactions to meat, milk and gelatine] ABC AU | ||
* Feb 24, 2019 [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190224100433.htm Likelihood of tick bite to cause red-meat allergy could be higher than previously thought] Science Daily | * Feb 24, 2019 [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190224100433.htm Likelihood of tick bite to cause red-meat allergy could be higher than previously thought] Science Daily | ||
* Dec 6, 2019 [https://www.wfsb.com/news/lone-star-tick-a-growing-threat-to-humans-pets-as/article_1ed003de-1853-11ea-8d01-3be1d90cb66c.html Lone star tick a growing threat to humans, pets as populations expand in CT] WFSB News | * Dec 6, 2019 [https://www.wfsb.com/news/lone-star-tick-a-growing-threat-to-humans-pets-as/article_1ed003de-1853-11ea-8d01-3be1d90cb66c.html Lone star tick a growing threat to humans, pets as populations expand in CT] WFSB News | ||
Latest revision as of 12:50, April 3, 2023
Alpha-galactose allergy (also known as alpha-gal allergy, alpha-gal syndrome, or mammalian meat allergy (MMA)) is a reaction to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).[1][2] In alpha-galactose allergy, the body experiences a sharp increase in immunoglobulin E (IgE) upon contact with the meat-derived carbohydrate.[3]
The alpha-gal molecule is found in all mammals except apes, humans, and Old World monkeys.[4] Since humans do not naturally produce this carbohydrate, humans do not have an pre-existing immune tolerance to the carbohydrate. The allergy most often begins when a Lone Star tick bite transmits alpha-gal into the body. In some people, an immune system reaction may later produce mild to severe allergic reactions when red meat is eaten.[5]
The cancer drug cetuximab (trade name Erbitux) contains the alpha-gal carbohydrate, since it is manufactured from mice. Cetuximab can cause a reaction in people who live in regions with a high population of Lone Star ticks, suggesting a link between Lone Star tick bites and an increased vulnerability to alpha-gal syndrome.[5]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
There is no treatment, other than not eating red meat.[5]
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
- Hives, itching, or itchy, scaly skin (eczema)
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other body parts
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- A runny nose
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially deadly allergic reaction that restricts breathing[6]
See also[edit | edit source]
Learn more[edit | edit source]
- Meat Allergy by ACAAI.org
- Jan 18, 2019 Mammalian meat allergy: How tick bites can cause allergic reactions to meat, milk and gelatine ABC AU
- Feb 24, 2019 Likelihood of tick bite to cause red-meat allergy could be higher than previously thought Science Daily
- Dec 6, 2019 Lone star tick a growing threat to humans, pets as populations expand in CT WFSB News
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Hilger, Christiane; Fischer, Jörg; Wölbing, Florian; Biedermann, Tilo (2019). "Role and Mechanism of Galactose-Alpha-1,3-Galactose in the Elicitation of Delayed Anaphylactic Reactions to Red Meat". Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 19 (1). doi:10.1007/s11882-019-0835-9. ISSN 1529-7322. PMC 6344609. PMID 30673913.
- ↑ "The Oligosaccharide Galactose-α-1,3-Galactose and the α-Gal Syndrome: Insights from an Epitope that is Causal in Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Immediate and Delayed Anaphylaxis". European Medical Journal. July 17, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ↑ Commins, Scott P.; Platts-Mills, Thomas A.E. (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): 72–77. doi:10.1007/s11882-012-0315-y. ISSN 1529-7322. PMC 3545071. PMID 23054628.
- ↑ Galili, Uri (September 1, 1993). "Evolution and pathophysiology of the human natural anti-α-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody". Springer Seminars in Immunopathology. 15 (2): 155–171. doi:10.1007/BF00201098. ISSN 1432-2196.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Alpha-gal syndrome - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ↑ "Omalizumab". Reactions Weekly. 1740 (1): 254–254. February 2019. doi:10.1007/s40278-019-58147-3. ISSN 0114-9954.
