New Jersey Man’s Death Linked to Tick-Induced Meat Allergy

A 47-year-old man from New Jersey has been identified as the first documented fatality from alpha-gal syndrome. This rare meat allergy is linked to bites from the lone star tick and can result in severe allergic reactions. The findings were published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice by an allergist from the University of Virginia (UVA).

Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome is triggered by the bite of the lone star tick, which can cause sensitization to alpha-gal. This sugar is present in mammalian meat, including beef, lamb, and pork. Individuals with the syndrome often experience symptoms such as:

• Rashes
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Fatal Incident During a Camping Trip

The New Jersey man was unaware that a tick bite had induced his allergy. Last summer, he became gravely ill three hours after consuming steak while camping. A fortnight later, he tragically died after eating a hamburger at a barbecue.

An autopsy deemed his cause of death as “sudden unexplained death,” without any concrete findings. However, his wife provided the autopsy results to Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, a leading expert in the field and first author of the case report. Dr. Platts-Mills, who identified alpha-gal syndrome in 2007, detected sensitization to alpha-gal in the man’s post-mortem blood samples, indicating a severe allergic reaction consistent with fatal anaphylaxis.

Significance of Tryptase Levels

Dr. Platts-Mills indicated that the man’s tryptase level was remarkably high at 2,000 milligrams per milliliter. This level is significantly above the previous maximum he had recorded, which was 90.

Importance of Awareness

Interestingly, the man’s wife noted that he did not have recent tick bites; however, he had many chigger bites on his ankles. Dr. Platts-Mills pointed out that these bites might have originated from lone star tick larvae, which are often misidentified.

He emphasized the importance of awareness among healthcare providers and patients in areas where lone star ticks are prevalent. Patients experiencing unexpected severe abdominal pain hours after eating mammalian meat should be evaluated for potential sensitization to alpha-gal.

Prevalence and Future Risks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 450,000 individuals in the United States may be affected by alpha-gal syndrome. This number could be an underestimate, as some may exhibit mild symptoms, and the reactions can be delayed. Currently, most cases are reported on the East Coast, yet the tick species has been found as far inland as Indiana, indicating potential for increased occurrence.