Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Review Article
Ingestion of mammalian meat and alpha-gal allergy: Clinical relevance in primary care
Submitted: 26 July 2018 | Published: 29 April 2019
About the author(s)
Tshegofatso Mabelane, Allergy and Immunology Unit, University of Cape Town, Lung Institute, Mowbray, South AfricaGboyega A. Ogunbanjo, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa
Abstract
Background: An allergic reaction to mammalian meat has recently been reported in rural parts of South Africa and throughout other parts of the world. The cause of this allergic reaction is because of an oligosaccharide antigen known as galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (alpha-gal) found in mammalian meat. Hard ticks in various parts of the world have been identified as a cause of sensitisation to the alpha-gal antigen. However, mechanisms of sensitisation in Africa are poorly understood.
Aim: The aim of this article is to review current literature on the alpha-gal allergy and mammalian meat ingestion and the family physician’s role in diagnosing and managing this condition.
Method: Indexes were searched using the keywords in the following electronic databases: Elsevier Science Direct, Google Scholar, Medline and PubMed.
Results: Clinical presentation of the alpha-gal allergy occurs typically as a delayed anaphylaxis occurring within 3–6 hours after the ingestion of mammalian meat. A subset of patients described in South Africa presented with a rapid onset of symptoms occurring within 45 minutes. Furthermore, some of these patients present with abdominal symptoms only, which may be mistaken as food poisoning. Diagnosis is based on a history of reaction to mammalian meats (especially to fatty portions or organs) and serum specific alpha-gal antibodies. The main management of the alpha-gal allergy is avoidance of red meat and in mild reactions treatment with oral H1 receptor antihistamines.
Conclusion: Sensitisation to the alpha-gal allergy results in adverse reactions to red meat, with tolerance to turkey, chicken and fish. A family physician can safely manage this condition.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 5849Total article views: 5987
Crossref Citations
1. No Bull: A Case of Alpha-Gal Syndrome Associated With Buffalo Meat Sensitivity
Marija Rowane, Reimus Valencia, Benjamin Stewart-Bates, Jason Casselman, Robert Hostoffer
Allergy & Rhinology vol: 10 year: 2019
doi: 10.1177/2152656719893366
2. Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Review for the General Internist
Christopher J Peterson, Poornachandran Mohankumar, James A. Tarbox, Kenneth Nugent
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences vol: 369 issue: 3 first page: 313 year: 2025
doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2024.11.015
3. Embracing Medication Needs of Patients based on Ethical, Dietary, and Religious Preferences
Lena Tieu, Jasmine Uchi, Nirva Patel, Mihir Meghani, Padmaja Patel, Yen Nguyen
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine vol: 18 issue: 3 first page: 351 year: 2024
doi: 10.1177/15598276221135538
4. Tick bite induced α‐gal syndrome highlights anticancer effect of allergy
Péter Apari, Gábor Földvári
BioEssays vol: 44 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.1002/bies.202100142
5. The Two-Sided Experimental Model of ImmunoCAP Inhibition Test as a Useful Tool for the Examination of Allergens Cross-Reactivity on the Example of α-Gal and Mammalian Meat Sensitization—A Preliminary Study
Kinga Lis, Natalia Ukleja-Sokołowska, Kornelia Karwowska, Joanna Wernik, Małgorzata Pawłowska, Zbigniew Bartuzi
Current Issues in Molecular Biology vol: 45 issue: 2 first page: 1168 year: 2023
doi: 10.3390/cimb45020077
6. Clinical Use of the ImmunoCAP Inhibition Test in the Diagnosis of Meat Allergy Caused by a Tick Bite in an Adult Male with No Previous Atopic History
Kinga Lis, Natalia Ukleja-Sokołowska, Kornelia Karwowska, Joanna Wernik, Małgorzata Pawłowska, Zbigniew Bartuzi
Life vol: 13 issue: 3 first page: 699 year: 2023
doi: 10.3390/life13030699
7. Nonanaphylactic Variant of Alpha-Gal Syndrome as an Etiology for Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children
De’mond Glynn, Jennifer Halma, Hannah Welch, Valentina Shakhnovich, Craig Friesen
The Journal of Pediatrics vol: 259 first page: 113486 year: 2023
doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113486
8. Initiating Psychotropic Treatment in a Patient With Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Matthew R Narlesky, Angelica Palting, Suporn Sukpraprut-Braaten, Andrew Powell, Robert Strayhan
Cureus year: 2022
doi: 10.7759/cureus.28443
9. Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Case Report of Delayed Anaphylaxis Reaction
Valerie C. Blatz
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners vol: 20 issue: 6 first page: 105020 year: 2024
doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105020
10. Electrochemical bioplatform to manage alpha-gal syndrome by tracking the carbohydrate allergen in meat
Víctor Ruiz-Valdepeñas Montiel, María Gamella, Marina Blázquez-García, Verónica Serafín, Elena Molina, José M. Pingarrón, Sara Benedé, Susana Campuzano
Talanta vol: 273 first page: 125851 year: 2024
doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125851
11. Current and Future Strategies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS)
Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Lorena Mazuecos, José de la Fuente
Journal of Asthma and Allergy vol: Volume 15 first page: 957 year: 2022
doi: 10.2147/JAA.S265660
12. Alpha-Gal Syndrome in the Heartland: Dietary Restrictions, Public Awareness, and Systemic Barriers in Rural Kansas
Judith Sempa, Priscilla Brenes, Alexandra Tegeler, Jordan Looper, Michael Chao, Yoonseong Park
Nutrients vol: 17 issue: 19 first page: 3043 year: 2025
doi: 10.3390/nu17193043
13. Diagnosing a Crisis: The Conundrum of Alpha-Gal
Angie McInnis, Katherine Root, Carol Rizer, Delesa Bradley
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners vol: 17 issue: 9 first page: 1081 year: 2021
doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.05.022
14. The Meat of the Matter: Understanding and Managing Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Jessica D Macdougall, Kevin O Thomas, Onyinye I Iweala
ImmunoTargets and Therapy vol: Volume 11 first page: 37 year: 2022
doi: 10.2147/ITT.S276872
15. Near-fatal anaphylaxis with Kounis syndrome caused by Argas reflexus bite: a case report
Elisa Boni, Cristoforo Incorvaia
Clinical and Molecular Allergy vol: 18 issue: 1 year: 2020
doi: 10.1186/s12948-020-00121-w