Sensitisation and allergic reactions to alpha-1, 3-galactose in Podlasie, Poland, an area endemic for tick-borne infections. Issue 8 (3rd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rutkowski, Krzysztof; Sowa, Paweł; Mroczko, Barbara; Pancewicz, Sławomir; Rutkowski, Ryszard; Czupryna, Piotr; Groblewska, Magdalena; Łukaszewicz-Zając, Marta; Moniuszko-Malinowska, Anna
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases. Volume 54:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 572
• Page End: 579
• Publication Date: 2022-08-03
• Subjects: Allergy -- alpha gal -- alpha gal syndrome -- Ixodes ricinus -- sensitisation -- ticks; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2022.2057583
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Ticks transmit several pathogens and seem implicated in the production of specific IgE antibodies to alpha-1, 3-galactose (α-gal sIgE). They cause delayed and immediate allergy to mammalian meat and medication including antivenoms, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Methods: We assessed the prevalence of α-gal sIgE in forest workers and healthy controls in the Podlasie voivodeship, north-eastern Poland; the relationship between α-gal sIgE and allergy to α-gal-containing products; the correlation between α-gal sIgE and anti- Borrelia burgdorferi and anti-tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) antibodies; the relationship between α-gal sIgE and markers of infection with lesser-known pathogens transmitted by ticks such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum . Results: Production of α-gal sIgE was closely related to tick bites. The odds ratio for detectable α-gal sIgE was 9.31 times higher among people with a history of tick bites (OR 9.3; p < .05). There was no correlation with the history of TBE, Lyme disease or human granulocytic anaplasmosis. However, serum α-gal sIgE correlated with anti-TBEV IgM antibodies in CSF. There was a strong correlation between α-gal sIgE and total IgE and sIgE to pork and beef. Conclusions: Our data support the link between I.ricinus ticks and the production of α-gal sIgE and confirm that the pathogens carried by ticks we examined for do not seem implicated in this immune response.