PITA, Joana; CIOBANU, Alexandru; LOUREIRO, Carlos    TODO-BOM, Ana. Allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose. []. , 26, 1, pp.11-19. ISSN 0871-9721.

The aim of this article is to review allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose. The authors performed a search in Pubmed and selected 24 articles in the last 5 years. Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (α-gal) is an oligosaccharide present in mammals, except in humans and higher primates. α-gal hypersensitivity differs from other IgE-mediated reactions, particularly on the late-onset of symptoms and is characterized by the association between a confirmed episode of tick bite and the posterior development of urticaria, anaphylaxis or gastrointestinal symptoms, two to six hours after red meat ingestion. Reactions to cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) occur immediately after the first administration, due to the presence of the epitope α-gal. Skin prick tests utility is limited, as they are not highly specific, and dosing the serum specific IgE to α-gal is an essential analysis for diagnosis and monitoring of the disease.

: α-gal; red meat; tick; allergy; delayed.

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