A recently completed study by Virginia Commonwealth University has determined that the delayed allergic reaction to meat may be due to tick bites. The study exposes a link between eating meat and severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.Drs. Susan Wolver, Diane Sun and colleagues published their findings in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. 3 patients exhibited symptoms consisting of hives, swelling, and trouble breathing, approximately three to six hours after eating meat. It is determined that the bite of the Lone Star tick, endemic in the southeastern United States, is the catalyst behind this allergic to red meat.
"In response to the tick bite, patients developed antibodies to a carbohydrate called alpha-gal, which is also present in meat. Later ingestion of meat caused allergic symptoms. This is the first documentation of a food-induced allergy in response to carbohydrates instead of proteins, and also the first time delayed instead of immediate anaphylaxis has been observed."