VIDEO: Alpha-gal syndrome involves more than mammalian meat consumption

SAN ANTONIO — Alpha-gal syndrome may be a food allergy, but it involves more than just food, Scott P. Commins, MD, PhD, said in this Healio exclusive video from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting.

“This is a unique food allergy where patients become allergic to beef, pork, lamb, venison — any mammalian meat,” Commins, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said.

People with alpha-gal syndrome do not need to eat meat to experience a reaction, Commins explained.

“Part of this is because products from cows and pigs make their way into many of our day-to-day exposures. Some of this can include vaccines, gelatin and common surgical apparatuses as well,” Commins said.

Patients also can experience reactions simply by inhaling fumes from meat that is being cooked, he continued. Exercise or exertion, alcohol, lack of sleep, stress and illness may be cofactors as well.

“These are really important in mediating some of the alpha-gal reactions,” Commins said.

For additional information, Commins encouraged practitioners to visit www.alphagalinformation.org.

Watch the video for more.