Alpha-gal anaphylaxis: the first case report in Italy

Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Sep;47(5):161-2.

Abstract

We report the case of a 55-year-old man who went into anaphylactic shock six hours after eating a meal containing meat. He reported having had several tick bites in months before the reaction. The serum specific IgE showed strong positivity to alpha-gal. This is clearly alpha-gal anaphylaxis with delayed onset after meat ingestion caused by tick bite, confirmed by alpha-gal IgE positivity.

Keywords: Food allergy; Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal); delayed anaphylaxis; red meat.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / etiology*
  • Disaccharides / immunology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Male
  • Meat / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Tick Bites / complications
  • Tick Bites / immunology*

Substances

  • Disaccharides
  • galactosyl-(1-3)galactose
  • Immunoglobulin E