Alpha-Gal Allergy: a new threat to Appalachia

Authors

Adam M. Franks MD, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Makala Murphy BS, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Madison Griffis MD, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Rebekah Franks BA, CWR, Heritage Farms Foundation, Smithsonian AffiliateFollow
Colin M. Franks, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Gary Petty MD, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow

Author Credentials

Makala Murphy, BS Joan C. Edwards SOM at Marshall University Madison Griffis, MD Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Adam M. Franks, MD (ORCID# 0000-0002-3710-6138) Professor Vice Chair, Research Department of Family and Community Health Joan C. Edwards SOM at Marshall University Rebekah Franks, BA, CWR Heritage Farms Foundation Smithsonian Affiliate Colin M. Franks Marshall University Gary Petty, MD Assistant Professor Department of Family and Community Health Joan C. Edwards SOM at Marshall University

Author ORCID Identifier

Adam M. Franks, MD (ORCID# 0000-0002-3710-6138)

Keywords

Alpha-Gal, Allergies, Appalachia, tick

Disciplines

Allergy and Immunology | Animal Diseases | Digestive System Diseases | Family Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Abstract

Alpha-gal allergy, or mammalian meat allergy, is described as the development of IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose-a-1,3-galactose following a bite from the tick species Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick) or Dermacentor variabillis (Wood tick). Dermatologic or gastrointestinal symptoms are usually delayed by four to six hours after exposure, making the diagnosis difficult. Due to the use of mammalian proteins in many common medications, surgical equipment and prosthesis, unexpected reactions can occur. In the United States, this pathology is predominately seen in the southeast, but has been associated with other tick species on every continent except Antarctica. As the habitat for Amblyomma and Dermacentor continues to move further north due to changing patterns in deer population and weather, incidence of alpha-gal syndrome has increased in the states outside its normal southeastern locale, especially in people with occupations and hobbies that require time outdoors in wooded areas.

Recommended Citation

Franks AM, Murphy M, Griffis M, Franks R, Franks CM, Petty G. Alpha-Gal Allergy: a new threat to Appalachia. Marshall J Med. 2021; 7(4) DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1348.