2023-08-01 15:00:00
A species of tick is said to cause an allergy to red meat in people bitten.
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Most of the cases identified to date are mainly in the United States and Australia, says allergist Moshe Ben-Shoshan in an interview.
Allergy to alpha-galactose, this molecule found in the muscles of cattle, is transmitted by lone star ticks.
The symptoms of red meat allergy are multiple and can become very serious.
Alpha-gal is characterized by gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, nausea and respiratory problems, informs the Dr Ben-Shoshan.
People who have been bitten by the tick may also see symptoms on the skin, such as tingling, hives and swelling.
The syndrome can, in more severe cases, lead to anaphylactic shock. Symptoms usually begin three to eight hours after exposure to alpha-gal.
“We can diagnose everything by taking a blood test,” reports the allergist. People who test positive should carry an EpiPen.
It can be difficult to make the association between a tick bite and the appearance of symptoms similar to those of a red meat allergy.
The Dr Ben-Shoshan says that to date, cases are still too rare in Canada to determine the duration of a meat allergy caused by alpha-gal.
He also claims that he has only treated one patient with such a diagnosis.
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