First Death Linked to 'Meat Allergy' Spread by Ticks

9 days ago

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First confirmed death from 'meat allergy' caused by Lone Star tick bites.
Victim, a 47-year-old man from New Jersey, died four hours after consuming beef.
Allergy sensitizes people to alpha-gal, a sugar found in mammalian meat, leading to severe reactions.
Symptoms include rash, nausea, vomiting, and potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
Case highlights the need for awareness among physicians and the public about tick-induced allergies.
Factors like alcohol consumption, pollen exposure, and exercise may exacerbate allergic reactions.
Lone Star tick larvae bites, often mistaken for chigger bites, can induce sensitization.
Researchers urge investigation of severe abdominal pain hours after eating meat as possible anaphylaxis.
Findings published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

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