Since its identification approximately 15 years ago, alpha-gal syndrome has shown an alarming increase in its incidence. Experts maintain that increased awareness, both among health professionals and the public, has contributed significantly to this phenomenon.

Alpha-gal syndrome is not caused by bacteria or a virus; It is triggered by a reaction of the immune system to a sugar present in mammalian meat.

It is obtained through tick bites, which introduce this type of sugar into the bloodstream, causing severe allergic responses after consuming meat and dairy products. The allergy does not affect the consumption of shellfish or poultry. Chicken, turkey and eggs can be consumed without problem. Let's remember that ticks can also transmit infections that cause serious diseases, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

“It turns out that the skin is a fantastic pathway to trigger an allergic response,” said Dr. Scott Commins, an alpha-gal syndrome researcher at the University of North Carolina. “If all this happened orally, and we consumed alpha-gal like we do with steaks or barbecue, then we would not develop allergies,” reports the Associated Press (AP).

People who develop antibodies often experience a strong allergic reaction a few hours after consuming meat or dairy. However, the problem can take weeks or months to manifest, and the severity of symptoms usually increases over time.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms may include hives, breathing difficulties, and digestive problems (diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and nausea). They may also experience dizziness, swelling of the lips, throat, tongue or eyelids.

The diagnosis is made through blood tests that detect alpha-gal antibodies, although these results must be correlated with the symptoms reported by the patient. "The blood test itself is very helpful, but you can't rely on it alone for the diagnosis. You also need the actual symptoms," Commins said. “In the allergy space, we have a lot of problems with false positives in blood tests.”

Spread of the syndrome in the US

The increase in cases reflects the expansion of the habitat of the lone star tick, the main source of this disease in the U.S. Often identifiable by a white dot on its back, the lone star tick is most common in the east and south of the country. Although in recent years its presence has been reported in new parts, including the Great Lakes region and as far north as Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, AP reports.

Researchers fear that other types of ticks, including blacklegged ticks, may also increasingly spread this disease.

According to a 2023 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that around 450,000 Americans have developed this allergy.

In some people, the allergy may disappear after several years. Commins has observed this occur in approximately 15% to 20% of his patients. However, it is essential to avoid new tick bites.

Treatments and precautions

The drug Xolair has recently been approved to help affected people. The medication itself does not reverse the condition, but it helps reduce severe allergic reactions after accidental exposure to meat.

Xolair was first approved more than 20 years ago for patients with difficult-to-control asthma. Its mechanism of action is to reduce the release of biological chemicals that cause inflammation and other allergic reactions.

Before the appearance of this drug, specialists above all recommended avoiding the consumption of mammalian meat (cows, pigs and lambs) and certain derived products, which could be exposed to tick bites.

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