Alpha-Gal Sensitization in a US Screening Population Is Not Associated With a Decreased Meat Intake or Gastrointestinal Symptoms.
Am J Gastroenterol
; 118(7): 1276-1281, 2023 07 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36799898
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Patients with alpha-gal syndrome, a delayed reaction to mammalian meat, can present with isolated gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. We aimed to estimate the frequency of alpha-gal sensitization in a Southeastern US population and determine the association between sensitization and mammalian product dietary intake or GI symptoms.METHODS:
We performed a cross-sectional study of participants who underwent a screening colonoscopy at our center between 2013 and 2015. We quantified serum alpha-gal immunoglobulin E antibodies in participants who were prospectively enrolled at screening colonoscopy and compared diet intake and lower GI symptoms reported in standardized questionnaires among those with elevated versus no alpha-gal IgE antibodies.RESULTS:
Alpha-gal IgE antibodies were common-31.4% of screening colonoscopy participants (127 of 404) had elevated serum alpha-gal IgE >0.1 kU/L. Alpha-gal-sensitized participants endorsed similar rates of abdominal pain compared with those without alpha-gal antibodies (33% vs 38%, adjusted odds ratio 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.3). Mammalian meat consumption did not differ based on alpha-gal sensitization status (average 1.43 servings/d in sensitized subjects vs 1.50 in alpha-gal IgE-negative subjects, P = 0.9). Alpha-gal-sensitized participants with levels ≥10 (n = 21) were overrepresented in the lowest quartiles of mammalian meat consumption, but not among those with GI symptoms in general. Participants with high alpha-gal antibody levels >2 kU/L (n = 45) or ≥10 U/L (n = 21) did not have a reduced mean daily mammalian meat intake compared with seronegative people.DISCUSSION:
Elevated alpha-gal IgE antibodies were common and not associated with a reduced mammalian meat intake, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Seropositivity did not predict symptomatic alpha-gal sensitization in this general screening population. Other host factors likely contribute to the phenotypic expression of alpha-gal syndrome.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Alérgenos
/
Hipersensibilidade Alimentar
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Gastroenterol
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos