Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2020 Jul;8(3):142-146. 10.4168/aard.2020.8.3.142.

Red meat allergy: clinical characteristics

• Kim S
• Lee J
• Ko A

• KMID: 2504773
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2020.8.3.142

Abstract

Purpose
Red meat allergy has recently been described as rare food hypersensitivity with unique pathogenesis and clinical relevance of delayed anaphylaxis. The culprits are various mammal meats containing oligosaccharide epitope (galactose-α-1,3-galactose, α-gal). Interestingly, hard tick bites precede the onset of this allergic condition. The clinical characteristics of red meat allergy had never been reported in Korea.
Methods
Among patients diagnosed with food hypersensitivity in a hospital located in Jeju, Korea, those with red meat allergy were recruited. Clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed and additionally interviewed.
Results
Five patients (mean age, 57±4 years; 4 males and 1 female) were diagnosed as having red meat allergy. They suffered from hives, as the most common symptom, followed by shortness of breath from 10 minutes to 6 hours after exposure to the culprits. Four patients visited the emergency department for anaphylaxis. Culprits included beef, pork, dog, ham, goat, and roe deer. Chicken, duck, bacon, or horse did not cause clinical symptoms. In 4 patients, hard tick bites preceded the onset. Detection of specific IgE to α-gal and culprits such as beef and pork facilitated the confirmative diagnosis. They were advised to avoid mammal meats and to receive a prescription for self-injectable epinephrine.
Conclusion
Red meat allergy is one of the food hypersensitivities, characterized by severe and delayed allergic reactions to various meats. Red meat allergy may be a tick-borne illness in Jeju, Korea.

Keyword

Food hypersensitivity; Anaphylaxis; Red meat allergy; Ixodidae; Ticks