P44: Specific Ige to Galactose‐alpha‐1,3‐galactose (Alpha‐gal) Does Not Add to the Diagnosis of Mammalian Meat Allergy in a Tick‐endemic Population

Abstract

phenotypes may provide clues regarding the pathogenesis and prevention of subsequent asthma. The odds ratio (OR) of a diagnosis of MMA where sIgE to alpha-gal is positive is only 2.5 (95% CI 0.7-8.6, P = 0.16). The OR of the presence of atopy is 1.3 (95% CI 0.5-3.3, P = 0.64). However, the OR for a history of tick bite is 15.4 (95% CI 5.3-45.3, P < 0.001).Conclusions: sIgE to alpha-gal does not add any further information to clinical history in the diagnosis of MMA. It only confirms that the patient has had a tick bite (in our population by Ixodes holocyclus). In our experience, this can be ascertained by the individual or at a clinical review. A reduction in the number of assays to sIgE to alpha-gal performed would reduce costs to these tick-endemic communities.