BackgroundAlpha‐gal syndrome is a novel food allergy to the oligosaccharide galactose‐α‐1,3‐galactose (alpha‐gal) present in mammalian meat. Tick bites are considered an important route of sensitization to alpha‐gal. Data on alpha‐gal sensitization in the general population is scant. We utilized a unique data source of repeated population‐based health examination studies to assess prevalence, time trends, risk factors, and characteristics of alpha‐gal sensitization.MethodsAlpha‐gal sensitization was assessed in >11.000 adults from four health examination studies of randomly invited residents in the Copenhagen region conducted in 1990–1991, 2011–2012, 2012–2015, and 2016–2017. Alpha‐gal sensitization was defined as serum specific IgE (sIgE) to alpha‐gal ≥0.1 kUA/L; ≥0.35 kUA/L; ≥0.7 kUA/L; ≥3.5 kUA/L. The population was characterized according to genetically determined ABO blood group, aeroallergen sensitization, and pets at home.ResultsThe prevalence of sIgE to alpha‐gal ≥0.1 kUA/L was 1.3% in 1990–1991, 3.7% in 2012–2015 and 3.2% in 2016–2017. Of those sensitized to alpha‐gal >97% reported to consume red meat at least once a week, even for sIgE to alpha‐gal ≥3.5 kUA/L. Male sex, older age, aeroallergen sensitization, cat at home, and blood group A were associated with increased odds of alpha‐gal sensitization. The known protective effect of blood group B was confirmed.ConclusionIn this general adult population, the prevalence of alpha‐gal sensitization had doubled from 1990–1991 to 2016–2017. This could potentially be due to increased tick exposure and an increased atopic predisposition.

中文翻译：

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丹麦普通成年人群中半乳糖-α-1,3-半乳糖致敏的患病率增加


背景α-gal 综合征是一种对哺乳动物肉中存在的低聚糖-α-1,3-半乳糖 （α-gal） 的新型食物过敏。蜱虫叮咬被认为是对 α-半乳糖敏感的重要途径。关于普通人群中 α-gal 致敏的数据很少。我们利用重复基于人群的健康检查研究的独特数据源来评估 α-gal 致敏的患病率、时间趋势、风险因素和特征。方法在 1990-1991 年、2011-2012 年、2012-2015 年和 2016-2017 年对哥本哈根地区随机邀请的居民进行的四项健康检查研究中，对 >11.000 名成年人的 α-gal 致敏进行了评估。α-gal 致敏定义为血清特异性 IgE （sIgE） 对 α-gal ≥0.1 kUA/L;≥0.35 千UA/升;≥0.7 千卡/升;≥3.5 千分/升。根据基因决定的 ABO 血型、空气过敏原致敏和家中的宠物对人群进行表征。结果1990-1991 年，α-gal ≥0.1 kUA/L 的 sIgE 患病率为 1.3%，2012-2015 年为 3.7%，2016-2017 年为 3.2%。在对 α-gal >97% 敏感的人中，报告每周至少食用一次红肉，即使是 sIgE 到 α-gal ≥3.5 kUA/L。男性、年龄较大、空气过敏原致敏、家里的猫和 A 型血与 α-gal 致敏的几率增加有关。证实了 B 型血的已知保护作用。结论在这个普通成年人群中，α-半乳糖致敏的患病率从 1990-1991 年到 2016-2017 年翻了一番。这可能是由于蜱虫暴露增加和特应性易感性增加。