How Does a Tick Bite Cause Meat Allergies? A Study Provides New Genetic Insights
Numerous significant molecules implicated in anaphylaxis to mammalian meat have had their structures elucidated, paving the way for potential future therapies. Scientists have discovered the genetic and molecular makeup of certain important components linked to the potentially lethal mammalian-meat allergy brought on by tick bites. The study, which was conducted by scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, explains how antibodies interact with the sugar molecule galactose-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal/alpha-gal), which is produced by all mammals with the exception of humans and higher primates. It adds credence to the idea that the main chemical in this specific allergy is -gal. When some tick species, such as the endemic paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus of Eastern Australia, bite individuals and transmit -gal, the immune system may perceive the exposure as hazardous and set off an allergic reaction, which can occasionally be fatal. Daniel Christ, a professor, studies the stru...