Project Lyme

🔬 New CDC Study Finds Alpha-Gal Antibodies Are More Common Than Previously Recognized

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a tick-borne condition that can trigger serious allergic reactions to red meat and other products made from mammals.

Researchers tested blood samples from 3,000 donors across 10 states and looked for alpha-gal IgE antibodies—immune system proteins that show the body has become sensitized to alpha-gal. They found:

📍 Five states (Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia) had the highest rates of alpha-gal IgE antibodies, with 24% of people testing positive.

📍 Arkansas had the highest rate of positive antibody tests (31.2%), followed by Missouri (26.0%).

📍 States outside the established lone star tick range had much lower rates, including just 1.1% in Washington.

What does this mean?

✔ Many healthy adults had alpha-gal antibodies. A positive antibody test doesn't necessarily mean someone has alpha-gal syndrome, but it does show the immune system has been exposed and sensitized to alpha-gal.

✔ Prevention remains essential. Avoiding tick bites helps reduce the risk of both infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease, and noninfectious conditions like alpha-gal syndrome.

✔ Awareness among healthcare providers is critical. People with unexplained hives, gastrointestinal symptoms, or allergic reactions—especially hours after eating red meat—and a history of tick exposure may benefit from evaluation for AGS.

Learn more about the science:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7525a1.htm

Learn about our free CME course to help healthcare providers recognize and manage alpha-gal syndrome:
https://projectlyme.org/two-cme-courses-prepare-health-care-providers-to-help-patients-with-alpha-gal-syndrome/