Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review
Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances such as abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea are infrequently attributed to food allergies as an initial diagnosis in the absence of more traditional allergic reactions like hives, angioedema, or anaphylaxis. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an atypical and under-recogn...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Allergy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1535103/full |
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| author | Susan B. H. Propst Dorothea K. Thompson Dorothea K. Thompson |
| author_facet | Susan B. H. Propst Dorothea K. Thompson Dorothea K. Thompson |
| author_sort | Susan B. H. Propst |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances such as abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea are infrequently attributed to food allergies as an initial diagnosis in the absence of more traditional allergic reactions like hives, angioedema, or anaphylaxis. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an atypical and under-recognized allergy characterized by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose, a carbohydrate found in non-primate mammalian meat and derived products. This review of the current literature on AGS focuses on GI manifestations and diagnostic challenges. While clinical presentations of AGS vary widely, predominant or isolated GI symptoms, when manifested, can overlap with other disorders, thus making a timely and accurate diagnosis challenging. Here we provide an updated review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of AGS. Current diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and areas requiring further research are also discussed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-25c6d0fd77e64a268968cd29bde706ca |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-6101 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Allergy |
| spelling | doaj-art-25c6d0fd77e64a268968cd29bde706ca2025-01-24T07:13:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Allergy2673-61012025-01-01610.3389/falgy.2025.15351031535103Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative reviewSusan B. H. Propst0Dorothea K. Thompson1Dorothea K. Thompson2School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, United StatesDepartment of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, United StatesDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, South College, Knoxville, TN, United StatesGastrointestinal (GI) disturbances such as abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea are infrequently attributed to food allergies as an initial diagnosis in the absence of more traditional allergic reactions like hives, angioedema, or anaphylaxis. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an atypical and under-recognized allergy characterized by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose, a carbohydrate found in non-primate mammalian meat and derived products. This review of the current literature on AGS focuses on GI manifestations and diagnostic challenges. While clinical presentations of AGS vary widely, predominant or isolated GI symptoms, when manifested, can overlap with other disorders, thus making a timely and accurate diagnosis challenging. Here we provide an updated review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of AGS. Current diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and areas requiring further research are also discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1535103/fullalpha-gal syndromegalactose-α-1,3-galactosealpha-galfood allergygastrointestinal symptomsmeat allergy |
| spellingShingle | Susan B. H. Propst Dorothea K. Thompson Dorothea K. Thompson Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review Frontiers in Allergy alpha-gal syndrome galactose-α-1,3-galactose alpha-gal food allergy gastrointestinal symptoms meat allergy |
| title | Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review |
| title_full | Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review |
| title_fullStr | Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review |
| title_short | Alpha-gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction: a narrative review |
| title_sort | alpha gal syndrome and the gastrointestinal reaction a narrative review |
| topic | alpha-gal syndrome galactose-α-1,3-galactose alpha-gal food allergy gastrointestinal symptoms meat allergy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1535103/full |
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