2019 Volume 81 Issue 2 Pages 125-127
Recent studies have revealed that sensitization to galactose-α-1, 3-galactose (α-gal), which is a major IgE-binding epitope in red meat allergy, is caused by tick bites. In this study, we examined the relationship between tick bites and sensitization to beef allergens by measuring the serum concentration of beef-specific IgE chronologically in nine patients with tick bite. Consequently, serum beef-specific IgE was detected in three of the nine patients at their first visit to our hospital. The serum concentration of beef-specific IgE had increased at 2 weeks after the first measurement in two of the nine patients. Furthermore, serum-specific IgE for α-gal was detected in five of the nine patients at their first visit. However, none of the nine patients clinically developed beef allergy. We herein report the relationship between tick bites and the possibility of sensitization to beef.
