There is an articel on the AAAACI - Homepage (www.aaaaci.com) related to this topic:

"Two novel forms of anaphylaxis have been defined recently: i) acute reactions during the first infusion of cetuximab and ii) delayed anaphylaxis to red meat. In each case, these reactions were shown to be occurring in patients who had IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose alpha-1,3-galactose, which is a mammalian blood group substance.

In a study published in the April 2011 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), Commins et al have now reported evidence that tick bites predominantly from the Lone Star Tick cause these IgE antibodies. The evidence includes prospective data on three subjects, a strong association with a history of tick bites, a good correlation (r = 0.67, p

There is an articel on the AAAACI - Homepage (www.aaaaci.com) related to this topic:

"Two novel forms of anaphylaxis have been defined recently: i) acute reactions during the first infusion of cetuximab and ii) delayed anaphylaxis to red meat. In each case, these reactions were shown to be occurring in patients who had IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose alpha-1,3-galactose, which is a mammalian blood group substance.

In a study published in the April 2011 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), Commins et al have now reported evidence that tick bites predominantly from the Lone Star Tick cause these IgE antibodies. The evidence includes prospective data on three subjects, a strong association with a history of tick bites, a good correlation (r = 0.67, p

I agree completely with Daniel and Salvatore, it makes for extremely good reading and will provide most of the information you are asking about.

The alpha-gal (AG) allergy is worldwide occurring mainly in regions/countries where there are aggressive ticks. Researchers have reported increases in tick populations and activity in Europe, Australia and in the US. It is not just the Lone star tick that is giving humans the alpha-gal/mammalian meat allergy.

Commins SP, Platts-Mills TA. Thank you. I have read these papers and they are interesting however comprise research about the allergy not the cause such as reservoir hosts/vectors. There is little research - or at least at this stage that I know of - as to why some people contract the allergy and not others. No research is available as to whether it is a response cause by a particular genome present in all those afflicted with AG.

The AG allergy and what happens to cause the AG allergy in the body after a tick bite is a mystery.

Most people who have the allergy can never eat mammalian product again and it appears that as the AG allergy "grows"in their bodies, rather than the person becoming less allergic. Many become allergic to the minute amounts such as bovine magnesium stearate used in many medications. They also can become allergic to gelatine, lactose and dairy. The allergy can present as life threatening anaphylaxis or painful urticaria/ hives or both.

Interesting research has recently come from Europe where because of the increases in tick populations, funding is available for research. Interestingly only a few months ago it was proved that the AG allergy does exist and that blood from a host can remain in the gut of a tick for months.

Thanks to Jana for raising this point which is likely to take on a dramatic relevance well beyond the limits of an alimentary intolerance. Recent findings have evidenced (also reported in papers listed in my RG profile) that the alpha-Gal epitope is present in most bioprosthetic products of animal origin, particularly in life-saving devices like bioprosthetic heart valves. This epitope is already widely considered as a critical factor related to the limited durability of such substitutes. However what's happening in the specific case of transplanted individuals having already a significant amount of such IgE, in addition to the natural content of IgG antibodies to this oligosaccharide? Could this situation be related to early bioprosthetic failures and/or to the less than the average durability of these devices? At the present no such investigations are apparently been carried out and are urgently expected as well as the removal of such life threatening components from the devices available for bioprosthetic purposes ..

Michael,

Thank you for your very insightful comments and for your interest. I agree completely.

I am not aware of any investigations being carried out and also believe these are urgently needed to prevent life threatening reactions to implanted bioprothestic products.