Diagnosis & Management of Alpha-gal Syndrome: Lessons from 2,500 Patients

Overview

Journal Expert Rev Clin Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2020 Jun 24

PMID 32571129

Citations 49

Authors

Scott P Commins

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is a unique allergy to non-primate mammalian meat (and derived-products) that is associated with tick bites and is due to a specific IgE antibody to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). AGS has many novel features that broaden the paradigm of food allergy, including that reactions are delayed 3-6 hours after exposure and patients have frequently tolerated red meat for many years prior to the development of allergic reactions. Due to the ubiquitous inclusion of mammal-derived materials in foods, medications, personal products and stabilizing compounds, full avoidance is difficult to achieve.

Areas Covered: This review describes the author's experience with diagnosis, management, and design of appropriate avoidance for patients with AGS and provides clinicians with practical advice for care of these patients.

Expert Opinion: The number of patients with AGS is rising and may have exceeded awareness of the diagnosis amongst healthcare providers. In summarizing experience gained to thus far, we hope to create a resource for identifying and managing this unique allergic syndrome.

Citing Articles

Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review.

Propst S, Thompson D Front Allergy. 2025; 6:1535103.

PMID: 39927113 PMC: 11802538. DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2025.1535103.

Genetic and Immunological Insights into Tick-Bite Hypersensitivity and Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Case Study Approach.

Banovic P, Jakimovski D, Mijatovic D, Bogdan I, Simin V, Grujic J Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(2).

PMID: 39859393 PMC: 11765669. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26020680.

Incidence of Alpha-Gal IgE Sensitization in 3000 Military Personnel, Assessing Sex, Race, Installation, and Occupational Impacts.

Ching S, Susi A, Ailsworth S, Workman L, Platts-Mills T, Wilson J J Clin Med. 2024; 13(23).

PMID: 39685618 PMC: 11642159. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13237162.

Extending discussion on alpha-gal syndrome: research needs, clinical significance, and more broad consequences.

Marimuthu M, Agaran Sundaram V, Emran T Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2024; 86(12):7482-7483.

PMID: 39649937 PMC: 11623891. DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000002664.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome in a Military Member.

Howell J, Neaves B, Coop C Cureus. 2024; 16(10):e72004.

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