Lone Star Tick Bites Linked to Alpha-Gal Syndrome, Causing Red Meat Allergy in U.S.
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a potentially life-threatening allergy to a sugar molecule found in most mammals, is increasingly linked to tick bites in the United States. The lone star tick is most frequently associated with transmitting alpha-gal through its saliva, triggering an immune response that leads to the allergy. Individuals with AGS can experience allergic reactions after consuming red meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, and venison, and sometimes other mammal-derived products. While the lone star tick is the primary vector in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also reported a small number of cases following bites from blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks. Researchers are still investigating why some individuals develop AGS after a tick bite while others do not. Lone star ticks are aggressive biters and are prevalent across the Northeast, South, and Midwest regions of the U.S., often found in grassy, brushy, and wooded environments, including residential yards.
