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U.S Ticks Carrying Red Meat Allergy Transmission Disclosed by CDC Data

A nibble from multiple tick species can initiate a prolonged sensitivity to meat, persisting for months.

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US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest findings indicate that various types of...
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest findings indicate that various types of ticks in the United States can cause red meat allergies.

U.S Ticks Carrying Red Meat Allergy Transmission Disclosed by CDC Data

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported the first two cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S. linked to bites from black-legged ticks. This potentially deadly meat allergy, caused by an overreaction of the immune system to a sugar called galactose-Ξ±-1,3-galactose or "alpha-gal", has previously been associated with the lone star tick.

The first case involved a woman from Maine who developed alpha-gal syndrome after a confirmed black-legged tick (I. scapularis) bite, as reported in the April 4 issue of the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. The second case, reported in the same journal issue, involved a wildlife biologist. The second case experienced a skin rash, lip swelling, and a severe allergic reaction after eating red meat, and required emergency epinephrine (EpiPen) treatment.

Research has shown that some tick species produce alpha-gal antigens and secrete these antigens in their saliva during feeding. While scientists had long suspected that black-legged ticks in the U.S. also transmit the allergy, this is the first reported case linking black-legged ticks to alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S.

Jennifer Platt, co-founder of the nonprofit Tick-Borne Conditions United and an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has long suspected black-legged ticks and other tick species in the U.S. are linked to alpha-gal syndrome due to reports from thousands of Lyme disease patients who cannot tolerate red meat.

Black-legged ticks (Ixodes), including Ixodes scapularis (deer ticks) and Ixodes pacificus, can transmit the disease. These ticks are present in the eastern half of the U.S., the Midwest, and the West Coast, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Preventing tick bites is the best way to protect against alpha-gal syndrome and other tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease and Powassan virus. Avoiding wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter, using insect repellent, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants can help reduce the risk of tick bites.

It is important to note that those affected by alpha-gal syndrome can develop severe allergic reactions not only to red meat but also to some medications, personal care products, and medical treatments containing ingredients from mammalian tissues. More studies are needed to discover details about how a tick bite triggers alpha-gal syndrome in some people.

Alpha-gal syndrome is not limited to the U.S., as a variety of tick species have been linked to the disease outside the country. Those diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome are advised to avoid all sources of red meat and to carry an EpiPen in case of an allergic reaction.

"The ticks do NOT pick up [alpha-gal antigens] from animals and then transmit them to humans," Platt emphasized. The CDC encourages anyone who experiences symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome after a tick bite to seek medical attention.

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