alpha-gal syndrome

noun

: an acquired allergy to meat (such as beef or pork), meat products (such as gelatin), and dairy that manifests as hives, swelling, shortness of breath, or digestive issues and may sometimes lead to anaphylactic shock, that has a delayed onset of symptoms several hours after exposure to allergens, and that develops after a bite from a tick and especially the lone star tick
Alpha-gal syndrome stands apart from conventional, IgE-mediated food allergies because the IgE driving the allergy forms against a sugar … rather than a protein.Jessica D. Macdougall et al., ImmunoTargets and Therapy
Certain medications, such as a blood thinner (heparin), … as well as mammal-based organ replacements (such as heart valves) can cause allergic reactions in patients with alpha-gal syndrome and should be avoided.Fatema Mollah et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
abbreviation AGS

called also red meat allergy

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Cite this Entry

“Alpha-gal syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/alpha-gal%20syndrome. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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