RESUMEN
Tick bite induced α-gal syndrome (AGS) following consumption of mammalian meat is a recently described intriguing disease occurring worldwide. Here we argue that AGS and delayed allergy in general is an adaptive defence method against cancer. Our hypothesis synthesizes two lines of supporting evidence. First, allergy has been shown to have direct anti-cancer effects with unknown mechanism. Second, eating processed meat was shown to be linked to developing cancer. Humans lost their genes encoding molecules α-gal 30 MYA and Neu5Gc 2 MYA, the latter co-occurring with the start of using fire. These molecules are acquired from external sources, as tick bite for α-gal and mammalian meat for Neu5Gc, the latter accumulating in tumors. The resulting specific delayed allergic response is a molecular adaptation to fight cancer. By further testing and applying our hypothesis, new avenues in cancer research and therapy will open that might save lives and decrease human suffering.
Asunto(s)
Hipersensibilidad a los Alimentos , Mordeduras de Garrapatas , Animales , Ingestión de Alimentos , Humanos , Mordeduras de Garrapatas/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after a tick bite (SENLAT) is an emerging non-pathogen-specific syndrome characterized by scalp eschar and occipital and/or cervical lymph node enlargement following a tick bite. We report a case of SENLAT syndrome in an Argentinian patient after exposure to ticks during outdoor work in the Paraná River Delta region.
Asunto(s)
Linfadenopatía/etiología , Dermatosis del Cuero Cabelludo/etiología , Mordeduras de Garrapatas/complicaciones , Adulto , Animales , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Argentina , Doxiciclina/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Linfadenopatía/tratamiento farmacológico , Masculino , Cuello , Fotograbar , Infecciones por Rickettsia/diagnóstico , Dermatosis del Cuero Cabelludo/tratamiento farmacológico , Dermatosis del Cuero Cabelludo/patología , Mordeduras de Garrapatas/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Ticks are a well-known vector for viral, bacterial, and rickettsial infections, many of which are accompanied by cutaneous eruptions, but the bite itself can induce a spectrum of inflammatory reactions, including foreign body granuloma, tick bite alopecia, and cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia. We describe the development of an indeterminate cell histiocytic infiltrate at the site of a tick bite. Although the etiology of intermediate cell histiocytosis is not well understood, this case raises the possibility that such infiltrates may represent an inflammatory reaction in some patients.