Alpha-gal phenotypes- lessons from various patient populations.

Alpha-gal phenotypes- lessons from various patient populations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2019 Mar 25;: Authors: Levin M, Apostolovic D, Biedermann T, Commins SP, Iweala OI, Platts-Mills TAE, Savi E, van Hage M, Wilson JM Abstract Galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is a carbohydrate epitope found on proteins and lipids in non-primate mammals and present in foods (particularly organ or fat-rich red meat) and medications, where it causes delayed onset and immediate onset anaphylaxis respectively. Several species of ticks contain alpha-gal epitopes and possibly salivary adjuvants that promote high titre sensitisation and clinical reactivity. Risk factors for alpha-gal syndrome include exposure to ticks of particular species. Age and gender differences seen in various cohorts possibly reflect the prevalence of these exposures that vary according to setting. The reason and mechanisms for delayed onset of food related anaphylaxis and the preponderance of abdominal reactions are not clear but may involve the kinetics of allergen digestion and processing or immunological presentation via a different mechanism from usual immediate type food allergy. PMID: 30922956 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Source Type: research