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A New Jersey man’s demise is the primary recognized to be linked to a tick-borne meat allergy, in line with researchers at UVAHealth in Virginia.
The unidentified man, 47, reportedly died final summer time, 4 hours after eating a hamburger and simply two weeks after an analogous episode triggered by steak.
With the summer time episode, the person skilled extreme stomach ache, diarrhea and vomiting after consuming the steak, a UVAHealth press launch stated.
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The incident was initially reported as “sudden unexplained demise” till Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills of UVA Well being decided the person suffered a deadly allergic response.
The findings have been printed in The Journal of Allergy and Scientific Immunology: In Apply.
A New Jersey man’s demise is the primary recognized to be linked to a tick-borne meat allergy, in line with researchers at UVAHealth in Virginia. (iStock)
The allergy, alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) — also called “red-meat allergy” or the “tick chunk meat allergy” — is brought on by the chunk of the Lone Star tick, which is discovered primarily in Southeastern and Japanese states, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The tick’s saliva comprises a sugar molecule known as alpha-gal, which is injected into the physique with the chunk. This triggers allergy symptoms to sure varieties of red meat (primarily pork, beef, rabbit, lamb or venison) or merchandise constituted of mammals (together with cheese, milk, different dairy merchandise and gelatin).
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When folks eat any meals containing the allergens, they’ll expertise severe allergy signs inside a number of hours, though some could solely have gentle reactions.
Signs could embody rash, nausea and vomiting after consuming beef, pork or lamb, in line with researchers. Some can also expertise itchy or scaly skin; swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat; and wheezing or shortness of breath, in line with Mayo Clinic.
The allergy, alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) — also called “red-meat allergy” or the “tick chunk meat allergy” — is brought on by the chunk of the Lone Star tick. (iStock)
Though deadly anaphylaxis has been famous as a uncommon threat in extreme circumstances, the New Jersey man’s demise was the primary to be attributed to the allergy.
Different components that will have contributed to his extreme response, in line with Platts-Mills, embody a beer he drank together with his burger, his publicity to ragweed pollen and up to date train.
“The vital data for the general public is: First, that extreme stomach ache occurring three to 5 hours after consuming beef, pork or lamb needs to be investigated as a attainable episode of anaphylaxis; and, second, that tick bites that itch for greater than every week or larvae of ticks typically known as ‘chiggers’ can induce or enhance sensitization to mammalian-derived meat,” Platts-Mills, former chief of UVA Well being’s Division of Bronchial asthma, Allergy and Scientific Immunology, stated within the launch.
“Alternatively, most people who’ve gentle to reasonable episodes of hives can management signs with an applicable food plan.”
The tick’s saliva comprises a sugar molecule known as alpha-gal, which is injected into the physique with the chunk. This triggers allergy symptoms to sure varieties of pink meat. (iStock)
A prognosis of AGS requires antibody testing and a medical examination. Many sufferers face a protracted street to prognosis — a median of seven years, in line with Dr. Johanna Salzer, CDC epidemiologist and creator of a 2023 report on AGS.
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“And to get recognized, they need to have access to an allergist,” Salzer beforehand advised Fox Information Digital. “For many individuals, there are limitations to get that stage of remedy.”
When somebody is recognized with AGS, the individual could have it for a lifetime.
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“Nonetheless, for some folks, in the event that they take away the meals from their food plan that may reactivate alpha-gal syndrome, over time, their antibody ranges could drop,” the professional stated.
There is no such thing as a remedy or treatment for AGS, although physicians will help sufferers handle their signs.
When folks eat any meals containing the allergens, they’ll expertise severe allergy signs inside a number of hours, though some could solely have gentle reactions. (iStock)
“There are a selection of issues [that] healthcare suppliers can present to alleviate signs relying on the sufferers’ particular person reactions,” Salzer stated.
“These with extra extreme reactions are administered EpiPens in case they go into anaphylactic shock.”
Prevention suggestions
To guard towards tick bites, Salzer recommends making use of EPA-approved insect repellent, these containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone, at any time when going into an space the place tick bites are a chance.
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Sporting long-sleeved shirts, lengthy pants and socks and avoiding grassy, brushy and wooded areas also can assist to forestall bites.
“When getting back from an space that’s recognized to have ticks, make sure to bathe and do a really thorough examine,” Salzer suggested.
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Platts-Mills urged docs and sufferers who stay in areas the place Lone Star ticks are widespread to concentrate on the chance.
“Extra particularly, if they’ve sudden episodes of extreme abdominal pain occurring a number of hours after consuming mammalian meat, they need to be investigated for attainable sensitization to the oligosaccharide alpha-gal,” he added.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the researchers for remark.