Open AccessThe first reported cases of meat allergy following tick bites in the UK
Author(s) -
Rhea A. Bansal,
Sameer Bahal,
Rachael O’Brien,
Joanne Miller,
Amolak S. Bansal,
Patrick Yong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jrsm open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2054-2704
DOI - 10.1177/2054270421996131
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin e , tick , allergy , anaphylaxis , medicine , immunology , antibody , red meat , veterinary medicine , pathology
Allergic reactions frequently involve the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to proteins. However, reactions directed against carbohydrate moieties are increasingly being recognised. Tick bites can contribute to the development of immunoglobulin E to the galactose-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) moiety on tick salivary proteins. These IgE molecules can cross-react with alpha-gal found in red meats, causing Type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to these foods. We present three cases of delayed reactions to beef, pork and lamb in patients with prior tick bites and in the presence of a positive-specific IgE to alpha-gal. Patients were advised to avoid red meat consumption and to carry emergency treatment in the form of anti-histamines with or without adrenaline autoinjector devices. This is the first published report of red meat allergy caused by tick bites suffered in the UK.