alpha-gal syndrome Archive — Page 1 of 1

(CDC Public Image Library)
October 8, 2026

Research study aims to clarify alpha-gal syndrome diagnosis and treatment

Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic condition associated with tick bites that can trigger severe reactions to a sugar molecule called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, or alpha-gal, found in red meat.

By Kylie Avery
(courtesy of the CDC)
July 15, 2026

Vanderbilt Health physicians treating more patients with tick bites this year

Six medically important tick species live in the state, and many Tennesseans encounter ticks in their own yard or neighborhood. Perhaps attributable to changing weather patterns and rising temperatures, Vanderbilt Health’s Emergency Medicine physicians around the region began treating patients with tick bites in March this year.

By John Howser
(courtesy of the CDC)
April 4, 2024

Tick bites and alpha-gal syndrome focus of $3.5M research grant

Vanderbilt’s Scott Smith, MD, PhD, has been awarded a five-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, to study the human immune response to tick bites and its role in preventing tick-borne illnesses.

By Paul Govern
The study found that some children with mystery digestive symptoms may actually have undiagnosed alpha-gal syndrome, commonly known as the red meat allergy linked to tick bites.
April 13, 2023

Children’s mystery symptoms may be alpha-gal syndrome

A Vanderbilt study found that some children with mystery digestive symptoms may actually have undiagnosed alpha-gal syndrome, commonly known as the red meat allergy linked to tick bites.

By Nancy Humphrey
June 28, 2022

Enjoy burgers? Better use tick repellent.

The lone star tick continues to be common across a wide swath of this region, and a bite can give you an allergy to red meat.

By Wayne Wood
April 12, 2018

Alpha-gal found to be both a medication and red meat allergy

Alpha-gal allergy has commonly been referred to as “the red meat” allergy, but doctors at the Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program (ASAP) helped uncover that not only red meat, but some medications, can contain alpha-gal.