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Up until recently, researchers believed that a unique and possibly lethal allergy to meat was only spread by a particular type of tick located in the United States — the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). However, current reports of this allergy, referred to as alpha-gal syndrome, are demonstrating that black-legged ticks (Ixodes), which are significantly more prevalent, may also transmit this condition.
While lone star ticks are primarily present in the southern and eastern regions of the U.S., black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), which are similarly known as deer ticks, can be found in the eastern portion of the U.S. as well as the Midwest, and the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) occupies the West Coast, according to Mayo Clinic.
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Considering that multiple tick varieties have been associated with alpha-gal syndrome outside of the U.S., researchers had suspected for a long time that black-legged ticks in the U.S. might similarly spread the allergy.
“For us, it was never solely the lone star tick,” Jennifer Platt, co-creator of the not-for-profit Tick-Borne Conditions United and a part-time faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, conveyed in a blog entry. “Because we have thousands of Lyme [a tick-borne condition] sufferers sharing that they cannot stand red meat, we have long suspected black-legged ticks and other tick species in the US,” she commented.
“Even though our published reports are among the initial ones connecting blacklegged ticks in the US to alpha-gal syndrome, incidents of bites from these species in the U.S. resulting in alpha-gal syndrome have almost undoubtedly taken place before these reports,” Salzer mentioned.
In cases of alpha-gal syndrome, the immune response is excessive to a sugar recognized as galactose-α-1,3-galactose, or “alpha-gal” for brevity. Those impacted may develop intense allergic reactions not only to red meat but also to some drugs, personal hygiene products, and medical procedures that possess ingredients from mammalian tissues, where this sugar is present.
The primary case, as documented in the April 4 edition of the CDC publication Emerging Infectious Diseases, involved a woman from Maine who developed alpha-gal syndrome following a verified black-legged tick (I. scapularis) bite.
Initially, the 45-year-old individual experienced swelling and itching at the location of the bite, then followed by stomach discomfort and a feeling of sickness nine days later, upon consuming rabbit. Throughout the ensuing two weeks, she endured continuous digestive issues after ingesting red meat. A critical bout of diarrhea and vomiting several hours after consuming beef incited her to seek out a health professional 20 days after the tick bite. Analyses of her blood indicated extraordinarily high levels of alpha-gal-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), verifying the presence of alpha-gal syndrome. The allergy was resolved after a duration of 10 months.
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The subsequent case of alpha-gal syndrome, reported in the same journal, pertained to a 61-year-old wildlife specialist residing in Washington. Following a verified bite from the western black-legged tick (I. pacificus), she had a skin irritation and swelling of the lips, which progressed to a severe allergic reaction 29 days afterward, upon consuming red meat, and necessitated crisis treatment involving epinephrine (EpiPen). Having been diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome, she avoided meat and experienced no more reactions. In later years, she sustained two extra I. pacificus tick bites, which sparked an elevation in alpha-gal IgE antibodies.
Presently, the mechanisms behind why tick bites may activate alpha-gal syndrome remain poorly defined. “We are merely beginning to explore the science behind this and other tick-borne illnesses — there is still much we don’t comprehend,” Platt stated.
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Research indicates that certain tick species generate alpha-gal antigens — proteins capable of initiating an immune response — and release such antigens into their saliva during the process of feeding. This may trigger the alpha-gal allergy among humans. “The ticks do NOT gather [alpha-gal antigens] from animals to later pass them on to humans,” Platt emphasized.
“Additional studies are needed to uncover more information pertaining to how a tick bite instigates alpha-gal syndrome in some individuals, and why bites inflicted by lone star ticks seemingly give rise to the majority of human cases in the United States as opposed to blacklegged, western blacklegged, and various other ticks,” Salzer remarked.
Preventing tick bites is the optimal method for safeguarding against alpha-gal syndrome in addition to other tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease and Powassan virus. “Whenever you expect to be in locations where ticks could exist, utilize an EPA-approved insect repellent and put on permethrin-treated clothing,” Salzer suggested.
Clarissa BrincatLive Science Contributor
Clarissa Brincat serves as an independent writer specializing in health and medical investigations. Subsequent to earning an MSc in chemistry, she came to the realization that she favored documenting science over practicing it. During a phase as a chemistry copyeditor, she gained the proficiency to refine scientific documents, prior to transitioning into the capacity of a medical writer at a healthcare establishment. Although creating content for doctors and specialists holds certain merits, Clarissa aspired to establish communication with a broader demographic, which naturally directed her toward independent health and science writing. Her portfolio has additionally featured work in Medscape, HealthCentral, and Medical News Today.
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