by I. Edwards
A uncommon crimson meat allergy, normally linked to a chunk from the lone star tick, may be attributable to different tick species discovered in numerous elements of the U.S., a brand new report exhibits.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) estimates almost 450,000 folks within the U.S. have this situation.
Most instances are linked to the lone star tick, which is widespread within the Southeast and decrease Midwest.
However new case reviews from Maine and Washington state discovered two girls who developed alpha-gal syndrome after being bitten by ticks in locations the place lone star ticks aren’t widespread.
This means that different sorts of ticks, just like the black-legged tick (additionally known as deer tick) that transmits the micro organism that causes Lyme illness, and the western black-legged tick, may trigger the situation.
Within the Washington case, a 61-year-old lady went into anaphylactic shock after consuming beef tacos, almost a month after being bitten by a tick.
In the meantime, a 45-year-old lady in Maine skilled abdomen points after consuming crimson meat, 9 days after eradicating a deer tick from her arm. Each examined optimistic for alpha-gal antibodies.
“It’s unique because it’s a delayed reaction, roughly two to eight hours, so you can have a hard time knowing the trigger,” Salzer mentioned, noting that with different IgE allergic reactions, like peanuts or shellfish, the response is nearly rapid.
Signs might embrace hives, abdomen ache, vomiting and swelling of the tongue or throat.
Alpha-gal syndrome was first recognized in 2009. It is attributable to an immune response to a sugar present in most nonprimate animals like cows, horses and deer.
“Tick populations in general, and particularly with lone star ticks, are exploding all over the United States,” mentioned Matthew Aliota, an affiliate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences on the College of Minnesota. “Lone star ticks are moving into bigger geographic areas, and that range is continuing to expand with climate change.”
“The most important thing is preventing the tick bite altogether,” Salzer concluded.
Extra data:
The Mayo Clinic has extra on signs and causes of alpha-gal syndrome.
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Uncommon crimson meat allergy linked to extra tick species (2025, March 24)
retrieved 25 March 2025
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