In 2008, an article was published that a small portion of individuals who were given the colorectal cancer drug “cetuximab” during a clinical trial were experiencing an allergic reaction. An association between a-gal and the development of an allergy to meat was made through a rather unusual discovery. The most compelling thing about alpha gal syndrome is the obscurity that surrounds an allergy to meat. “uch a ground-breaking discovery in the word of allergy medicine can only drive researchers forward in their pursuit to combat anaphylaxis and remove the burden allergens have on people across the world.”ĭiscovering the Link to the Lone Star Tick If anaphylaxis is a concern, allergists will prescribe an epi-pen. The only way to “treat” alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid meat altogether.
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A clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by both a skin IgE allergy test or by a blood test that measures the amount of IgE your body created in response to eating meat. Alpha gal syndrome is clinically diagnosed through a serious of questions asked by an allergist that seeks to gather information around the amount of meat you ate and the length of time after you consumed meat before symptoms started. STARI is the precursor for the allergic response to meat, otherwise known as alpha-gal syndrome. The way you can recognize this tick is by a characteristic white dot on its back (Figure 2). americanum are between early spring and late fall. 4 What makes this under-researched phenomenon worse is that these lone star ticks are endemic to the Southeastern United States (Figure 1) with some high-risk areas going as far north as Maine.Īccording to the CDC, the times you are at the greatest risk for being bitten by A. One theory is that the combination of lone star tick digestive proteins and a-gal mimic the “allergen epitope” that IgE antibodies readily bind to, which then identify a-gal as the “intruder” and elicits an immune response. Very little research exists that has explored why this might occur. When the human body is exposed to a-gal through a tick bite, our immune system overreacts and mounts an allergic response with IgE antibodies. When we consume meat, a-gal becomes a great source for essential amino acid production. A-gal is also found in the digestive lining of A. 1įigure 2: The lone star tick has a characteristic white dot on its backĪ-gal is a carbohydrate found in the meat of several animals, excluding primates. As the rash resolves, an allergy to galactose-a-1,3-galactose (a-gal) emerges. Unfortunately, that rash is just the start. 2Ī tick bite that leads to STARI results in a rash with a presentation similar to Lyme’s disease. However, a lesser-known condition a bite can leave behind is known as STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness). The lone star tick is notorious for biting humans and transmitting different pathogens known for causing diseases like tularemia, human echrlichiosis, heartland virus disease, and bourbon virus disease. 1 This is the harsh reality of those unfortunate enough to consume meat of any kind after suffering a bite from the “Lone Star Tick” ( Amblyomma americanum). Now, what if every time you enjoyed one of those foods, several hours later you were plagued with vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, and other symptoms closely resembling anaphylactic shock. Imagine all of your absolute favorite foods. How do I become a laboratory professional?įigure 1: A map of endemic areas (in yellow) for A.The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
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