Invited Commentary: Alpha-Gal Allergy: Tip of the Iceberg to a Pivotal Immune Response

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• 作者：Scott P. Commins
• 刊名：Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：September 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：16
• 期：9
• 全文大小：824 KB
• 刊物主题：Allergology;
• 出版者：Springer US
• ISSN：1534-6315
• 卷排序：16

文摘

The syndrome of delayed allergic reactions to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (“alpha-gal”) has become increasingly recognized in allergy and immunology clinics regionally throughout the southeastern USA. Due to the increasing awareness of this unique food allergy, cases have been identified in the northeastern and central USA as well as in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Scandinavia, and Australia. Clinically, alpha-gal allergy is characterized by reactions to non-primate mammalian meat (e.g., beef, pork, lamb) that occur 3–6 h following exposure. The IgE response to alpha-gal is thought to develop after tick bites and can result in the loss of tolerance to foods that have been safely consumed for years. Although the initial description of alpha-gal allergy in 2009 was limited to red meat, this epitope is now identified in an expanded number of products, medications and foods—both labeled and unlabeled. Moreover, we are beginning to recognize that alpha-gal food allergy is the tip of the iceberg for this immune response.KeywordsAlpha-galIgERed meat allergyDelayed anaphylaxisAnti-GalTick bite and allergy