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Galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) allergy syndrome (AGS) was first described in 2008 and is unique for several reasons. Alpha-gal is a carbohydrate, whereas almost all IgE-mediated food allergens are proteins. Patients had delayed symptoms of anaphylaxis at 2 to 6 hours after eating red meat (alpha-gal is expressed in nonprimate mammalian species), whereas most IgE-mediated reactions occur within 1 hour. Even more peculiar is that sensitization is associated with a bite from the lone star tick (and probably other tick species). Ticks express alpha-gal in their salivary glands even before their first blood meal. Researchers now report on the prevalence and awareness of AGS.
Based on data from the U.S. company that performed most commercia…