A mysterious meat allergy caused by tick bites may affect hundreds of thousands of people

 

A mysterious meat allergy caused by tick bites may affect hundreds of thousands of people in the US, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome, is caused by the bite of a lone star tick and can trigger a severe reaction to red meat and dairy products.

The CDC estimates that up to 450,000 people in the US may have alpha-gal syndrome, making it the 10th most common food allergy in the country. However, many doctors are unaware of the condition, and it can take years for patients to receive a diagnosis.

Ken McCullick, a 66-year-old musician from Florida, experienced this firsthand. He suffered a severe reaction to heparin, a blood thinner made from pig intestines, which contains the sugar alpha-gal. He flatlined and died on the operating table but was revived after seven minutes. It took four years for doctors to diagnose him with alpha-gal syndrome.

Alpha-gal syndrome is caused by the bite of a lone star tick, which transmits a sugar called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) into the bloodstream. This sugar is found in non-primate mammals and products made from them, such as red meat and dairy products. People with alpha-gal syndrome must avoid these products to prevent severe reactions, which can include hives, shortness of breath, and life-threatening anaphylaxis.

The CDC analyzed testing data from a commercial lab and found that nearly 300,000 tests for alpha-gal were ordered between 2017 and 2022, with 30% of them being positive. This led to an estimate of 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome diagnosed in the US from 2010 to 2022. However, the researchers believe that many cases go undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness among healthcare providers, leading to an estimated 96,000 to 450,000 Americans affected by alpha-gal syndrome since 2010.

The geographic distribution of suspected alpha-gal syndrome cases shows a concentration in the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions, where lone star ticks are known to cause other diseases. The CDC is unsure whether the increasing number of cases is due to increased awareness and testing or other factors such as climate change.

Dr. Scott Commins, an associate chief for allergy and immunology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, has spent his career researching alpha-gal syndrome. He notes that the estimated number of cases is far beyond what was previously thought and highlights the need for increased awareness and testing among healthcare providers.

In summary, alpha-gal syndrome is a mysterious meat allergy caused by tick bites that may affect hundreds of thousands of people in the US. While the exact number of cases is unknown, it is clear that increased awareness and testing are needed to diagnose and manage this condition.