For alpha-gal patients, allergy drug could cut the severity of reactions to red meat
A new peer-reviewed study finds that alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne red meat allergy affecting nearly half a million Americans, is forcing some farmers and ranchers to hire extra help, stop raising livestock, or leave farming altogether.
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The brief
The first peer-reviewed study of farmers and ranchers living with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) has been published in the Journal of Agromedicine, chadronradio.com reported. Researchers surveyed more than 200 farmers and ranchers across 26 states about tick bites, AGS awareness, symptoms, and diagnosis. Most respondents lived in Missouri and Oklahoma.
AGS is spread primarily through the bite of the lone star tick, which has expanded beyond its traditional southeastern U.S. range into areas previously too cold for it, according to chadronradio.com. Alpha-gal is a molecule naturally produced in most mammals but not in people, and it is also found in the saliva of some ticks, most commonly the lone star tick. When a tick bites, it can transfer alpha-gal into a person’s body, triggering an allergic reaction that can range from mild to severe and sometimes life-threatening.
The CDC estimates AGS affects nearly half a million Americans, chadronradio.com reported. More than 110,000 suspected cases were identified in the United States between 2010 and 2022, though AGS is not nationally notifiable and the actual number is unknown, with as many as 450,000 people possibly affected.
Study participants reported an average of nearly three medical provider visits before receiving an accurate diagnosis, chadronradio.com said. The study identified four distinct symptom clusters, with abdominal cramping, diarrhea, itchy skin, and nausea among the most frequently reported symptoms. Women more often reported gastrointestinal discomfort, while men were more likely to fall into the mild symptom category.
Researcher Shaun Cross, Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, said some patients have had to hire more help, stop raising livestock, or leave farming altogether. Cross presented the results at the first National Convening on a National Strategy for Alpha-gal Syndrome, hosted by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), on October 27-28 in Washington, D.C.
Separately, NBC News reported that an allergy drug could cut the severity of reactions to red meat for alpha-gal patients, and Medical Xpress reported that patients with meat allergy who take omalizumab may see improvement of symptoms. WZTV reported that a mysterious tick disease is affecting a new Tennessean every day.
Synthesized by PULSE from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 17m ago.
Quick answers
What is alpha-gal syndrome?
Alpha-gal syndrome is a tickborne allergy to red meat caused by a molecule called alpha-gal (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) that is naturally produced in most mammals but not in people. It is found in the saliva of some ticks, most commonly the lone star tick, and a tick bite can transfer it into a person’s body, triggering an allergic reaction after eating mammalian meat such as beef, pork, or venison or exposure to other mammal products.
How many Americans are affected by alpha-gal syndrome?
The CDC estimates AGS affects nearly half a million Americans. More than 110,000 suspected cases were identified in the United States between 2010 and 2022, and as many as 450,000 people may be affected, though AGS is not nationally notifiable and the actual number is unknown.
What did the new study of farmers and ranchers find?
The first peer-reviewed study of farmers and ranchers with AGS surveyed more than 200 people across 26 states, most living in Missouri and Oklahoma. Participants reported an average of nearly three medical provider visits before an accurate diagnosis, and some had to hire more help, stop raising livestock, or leave farming altogether. The most frequently reported symptoms included abdominal cramping, diarrhea, itchy skin, and nausea.
Can an allergy drug help alpha-gal patients?
NBC News reported that an allergy drug could cut the severity of reactions to red meat for alpha-gal patients, and Medical Xpress reported that patients with meat allergy who take omalizumab may see improvement of symptoms.
Coverage (5)
- A Tick Bite Can Take Beef and Pork Off the Menu. Farmers and Ranchers Face Greater Risk Successful Farming · 4h ago
- New Study Reveals Impact Of Alpha-Gal Syndrome chadronradio.com · 4h ago
- Mysterious tick disease affecting a new Tennessean every day WZTV · 4h ago
- Patients with meat allergy who take omalizumab may see improvement of symptoms Medical Xpress · 4h ago
- For alpha-gal patients, allergy drug could cut the severity of reactions to red meat NBC News · 4h ago
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