title: IgE antibodies to alpha-gal in the general adult population: relationship with tick bites, atopy, and cat ownership.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The carbohydrate alpha-gal epitope is present in many animal proteins, including those of red meat and animal immunoglobulins, such as cat IgA. Systemic anaphylaxis to the alpha-gal epitope has recently been described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate and compare the prevalence of alpha-gal-specific (s)IgE and its associated factors in the general adult population from two separated (Northern and Southern) European regions (Denmark and Spain, respectively).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of 2297 and 444 randomly selected adults from 11 municipalities in Denmark and one in Spain. Alpha-gal sIgE was assessed by ImmunoCAP to bovine thyroglobulin. Additional assessments included a panel of skin prick test (SPT) to common aeroallergens and epidemiological factors, including the history of tick bites in the Danish series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of positive (≥ 0.1 kUA /L) sIgE to alpha-gal was 5.5% and 8.1% in the Danish and Spanish series, respectively. The prevalence of sIgE ≥ 0.35 kUA /L was 1.8% and 2.2% in Denmark and Spain, respectively. Alpha-gal sIgE positivity was associated with pet ownership in both series and, particularly, cat ownership (data available in the Danish series). Alpha-gal sIgE positivity was associated with atopy (SPT positivity) in both series, although it was not associated with SPT positivity to cat or dog dander. Alpha-gal sIgE positivity was strongly associated with a history of tick bites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of alpha-gal sIgE antibodies in these general adult European populations is similarly low. The presence of alpha-gal sIgE antibodies is associated with a history of tick bites, atopy, and cat ownership.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Quintela
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dam Laursen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skaaby
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gude
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linneberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064927:Tick Bites; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014312:Trisaccharides; C076569:alpha-galactosyl epitope; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: IgE; alpha-gal; anaphylaxis; pet ownership; tick bites