Alpha-gal syndrome
| Alpha-gal syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) Acquired red meat allergy Mammalian meat allergy (MMA) |
| Specialty | Allergy, immunology |
| Symptoms | Abdominal pain, anaphylaxis, angiodema, headaches, congestion, diarrhea, faintness, hives, nausea, rhinorrhea often with sternutation (sneezing) |
| Usual onset | Delayed |
| Duration | Unknown |
| Causes | Bites from certain species of ticks |
| Diagnostic method | Clinical diagnosis, blood tests |
| Prevention | Avoidance of tick bites |
| Treatment | Anti-histamines, epinephrine, desensitization |
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as alpha-gal allergy or mammalian meat allergy (MMA), is an acquired allergy characterized by a delayed onset of symptoms (2–8 hours) after ingesting foods and medicines containing the carbohydrate molecule galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose ("alpha-gal"). Reactions also occur from skin contact, environmental exposures, and intravenous therapy. AGS results from tick bites, and possibly bites from other insects and parasites.
Alpha-gal is present in all foods and ingredients made from beef, pork, lamb, venison, rabbit, and other mammal sources, including gelatin and milk. Certain seaweeds also contain alpha-gal. Alpha-gal is found worldwide among the inactive ingredients and materials of medications and healthcare products, and it is generally not required to be labelled. Reactions have been reported from breathing cooking fumes containing alpha-gal molecules, and contact with health and personal care products. AGS patients may have a reaction near farm animals, and shoveling manure or other chores may require gloves or a respirator.
Allergic symptoms vary greatly between individuals and include rash, hives, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness or faintness, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, anaphylaxis, heart attack, and death.