Western Kentucky sees rise in alpha-gal syndrome

Western Kentucky sees rise in alpha-gal syndrome

CRITTENDEN COUNTY — Starlena Mahns vividly remembers waking up in the middle of the night unable to breathe, in anaphylactic shock. Mahns said it was, by far, one of the scariest experiences of her life.

Avoid the lone star tick; its alpha-gal molecule may flip a victim's immune system against red meat - NKyTribune

By Heather Norman-Burgdolf University of Kentucky Ticks are bad news in general, but the lone star tick brings an extra problem: it can leave behind a sugar molecule called alpha-gal that may flip a person’s immune system against red meat and other products that come from mammals. Evidence points squarely at this one species; so far, no other tick in Kentucky has been linked to the syndrome. When the tick feeds on wildlife, alpha-gal can build u…