Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology

Abstract

3/2026 vol. 13
Case report

The case of a patient with alpha-gal syndrome with atypical symptoms and variable asthma control

  1. Department of Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, Poland

  2. International Doctoral School, Medical University of Lodz, Poland

Alergologia Polska – Polish Journal of Allergology 2026; 13, 3: 262-268

Online publish date: 2026/10/06
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Alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS) is a recently described immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy associated with oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), found in most mammalian meat and certain animal-derived products. The development of AGS is most often linked to tick bites, which introduce α-Gal-containing molecules from tick saliva into the human body, triggering IgE sensitisation. Clinical manifestations typically appear 3–6 h after ingestion of α-Gal-containing products. The most common symptoms affect the skin and mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract. We present the case of a 45-year-old patient from central Poland presenting with atypical symptoms of AGS and variable asthma control. He underwent extensive diagnostics in different specialist settings, while additional information about numerous tick bites during the summer season helped to establish AGS diagnosis. The report is accompanied by the review of current literature on clinical aspects of AGS.

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