%0 Journal Article
%T Mammalian Meat Allergy and IgE to Alpha-gal in in Central Virginia: findings from a COVID-19 vaccine and patient cohort.
%A Richards NE
%A Ailsworth SM
%A Workman LJ
%A Bortz PS
%A Patel J
%A MacCallum M
%A Canderan G
%A Murphy D
%A Muehling L
%A McGowan E
%A Woodfolk JA
%A Kadl A
%A Platts-Mills T
%A Wilson JM
%J J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 27
%M 38944197
暂无%R 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.06.035
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>IgE to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is linked with tick bites and an important cause of anaphylaxis and urticarial reactions to mammalian meat. The "alpha-gal syndrome" (AGS) is recognized as being common in the southeastern USA, however prevalence studies are lacking and open questions remain about risk factors and clinical presentation of alpha-gal sensitization.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Here we characterized the prevalence, as well as presentation and risk factors, of AGS and alpha-gal IgE sensitization in adults in central Virginia recruited without regards to history of allergic disease.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Adults in central Virginia, primarily University of Virginia Health employees, were recruited as part of a COVID-19 vaccine study. Subjects provided at least one blood sample and answered questionnaires about medical and dietary history. ImmunoCAP was used for IgE assays and ABO blood group was assessed by reverse typing using stored serum. Biobanked serum from COVID-19 patients was also investigated.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of 267 enrollees, median age was 42, 76% were female and 43 (16%) were sensitized to alpha-gal (cut-off 0.1 IU/mL), of which mammalian meat allergy was reported by 7 (2.6%). Sensitized subjects were i) older, ii) had higher total IgE levels but similar frequency of IgE to common respiratory allergens, and iii) were more likely to report tick bites than non-sensitized subjects. Among those who were sensitized, alpha-gal IgE levels were higher among meat allergic than non-allergic subjects (GM 9.0 vs 0.5 IU/mL, P<0.001). Mammalian meat and dairy consumption was common in individuals with low-level sensitization.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>In central Virginia AGS is a dominant cause of adult food allergy with a prevalence approaching or exceeding 2%.