Diagnostic testing for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, United States, 2010 to 2018.
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Allergens
/ immunology
Animals
Antibodies
/ immunology
Child
Child, Preschool
Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
Female
Food Hypersensitivity
/ immunology
Galactose
/ immunology
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
/ immunology
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Tick Bites
/ immunology
Ticks
/ immunology
United States
Young Adult
Journal
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
ISSN: 1534-4436
Titre abrégé: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9503580
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 2021
04 2021
Historique:
received:
11
09
2020
revised:
13
12
2020
accepted:
28
12
2020
pubmed:
11
1
2021
medline:
20
4
2021
entrez:
10
1
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an emerging immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). The geographic distribution and burden of AGS in the United States are unknown. To characterize alpha-gal IgE testing patterns and describe the trends and distribution from 2010 to 2018 in the United States. This retrospective analysis included all persons tested for alpha-gal IgE antibodies by Viracor-IBT Laboratories (Lee's Summit, Missouri), the primary site of testing in the United States. Data included age and sex of person tested, specimen state of origin, collection date, and result value; persons with at least 1 positive test result (≥0.1 kU/L) were compared with negatives. Proportions tested and with positive test results were calculated using the US Census population estimates. Overall, 122,068 specimens from 105,674 persons were tested for alpha-gal IgE during July 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. Nearly one-third (34,256, 32.4%) had at least 1 positive result. The number of persons receiving positive test results increased 6-fold from 1110 in 2011 to 7798 in 2018. Of those receiving positive test results, mean [SD] age was 46.9 (19.8) years; men were more likely to test positive than women (43.3% vs 26.0%). Arkansas, Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Missouri had the highest number of persons who were tested and had a positive result per 100,000 population. More than 34,000 persons, most presumably symptomatic, have received positive test results for IgE antibodies to alpha-gal, suggesting AGS is an increasingly recognized public health problem. The geographic distribution of persons who tested positive is consistent with exposure to Amblyomma americanum ticks.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an emerging immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). The geographic distribution and burden of AGS in the United States are unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize alpha-gal IgE testing patterns and describe the trends and distribution from 2010 to 2018 in the United States.
METHODS
This retrospective analysis included all persons tested for alpha-gal IgE antibodies by Viracor-IBT Laboratories (Lee's Summit, Missouri), the primary site of testing in the United States. Data included age and sex of person tested, specimen state of origin, collection date, and result value; persons with at least 1 positive test result (≥0.1 kU/L) were compared with negatives. Proportions tested and with positive test results were calculated using the US Census population estimates.
RESULTS
Overall, 122,068 specimens from 105,674 persons were tested for alpha-gal IgE during July 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. Nearly one-third (34,256, 32.4%) had at least 1 positive result. The number of persons receiving positive test results increased 6-fold from 1110 in 2011 to 7798 in 2018. Of those receiving positive test results, mean [SD] age was 46.9 (19.8) years; men were more likely to test positive than women (43.3% vs 26.0%). Arkansas, Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Missouri had the highest number of persons who were tested and had a positive result per 100,000 population.
CONCLUSION
More than 34,000 persons, most presumably symptomatic, have received positive test results for IgE antibodies to alpha-gal, suggesting AGS is an increasingly recognized public health problem. The geographic distribution of persons who tested positive is consistent with exposure to Amblyomma americanum ticks.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33422649
pii: S1081-1206(20)31274-6
doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.12.019
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Allergens
0
Antibodies
0
Immunoglobulin E
37341-29-0
Galactose
X2RN3Q8DNE
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
411-416.e1Informations de copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.