Studying Immune Responses and Allergy Risk After Tick Bites in Adults

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how the immune system reacts to tick bites, focusing on the development of alpha-Gal syndrome AGS, a delayed allergy to red meat caused by IgE antibodies against the alpha-Gal sugar transmitted by ticks. The study will compare immune responses between individuals who develop these antibodies and those who do not, investigating early immune markers that may predict allergic sensitization. It also seeks to gather important public health data by analyzing ticks for pathogens. Participants will enroll within 48 hours after a tick bite and provide blood samples and questionnaires. They will return for a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks later for additional blood collection and questionnaires. A third visit, including allergy tests, is planned 3 months after the tick bite for participants selected based on their antibody levels. The tick removed from the participant will be collected, identified, and tested for pathogens. During the study, participants will undergo immune analysis through blood samples collected at enrollment and follow-up visits, along with questionnaires about their health, tick bite history, and diet. The study will monitor immune signatures linked to allergic sensitization and track tick-borne diseases over time. The total follow-up spans several weeks, with researchers reviewing immune responses up to two years after the last participant enrolls to better understand the development of AGS.

The α-gal Syndrome - Investigating Immune Reactions to Tick Bites