Vaz-Rodrigues Rita, P Odyek Abila Patrick, Kasaija Paul D, Kibuuka Moses, de la Fuente José
Health and Biotechnology (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.
National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda.
Ann Med. 2025 Dec;57(1):2514096. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2514096. Epub 2025 Jun 8.
Allergic reactions in response to arthropod bites are a growing concern worldwide. Alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS) is a red meat allergy associated with IgE antibodies against galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-Gal), typically linked to tick bites but other arthropods may also play a role. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential association between tsetse fly ( spp.) bites and AGS by analyzing clinical cases, citizen science data, and the possible production of alpha-Gal by tsetse flies.
Data from five case series involving tsetse fly bites included demographic information such as age, gender and geographical location, as well as clinical details like symptoms and diagnosis. The production of alpha-Gal by tsetse flies focused on epitope content analysis by ELISA and the expression of several galactosyltransferases using RT-qPCR in the whole body of Ugandan tsetse flies and midgut tissues.
The cases included patients bitten by tsetse flies in Uganda-Rwanda and, with different symptoms. Individuals resided in Spain, the USA or Uganda, with no record of or reaction to bites from ticks or other arthropods. Cases 1 and 2 were diagnosed with AGS, whereas Ugandan Case 3 presented symptoms consistent with AGS. Ugandan participative or citizen science survey identified one individual (Case 4) who experienced allergic reactions to red meat following multiple tsetse fly bites, while eight individuals (summarized as grouped Case 5) exhibited only local skin reactions to several bites. The expression of galactosyltransferases suggested the possible production of alpha-Gal modification in these arthropods.
Allergic anaphylactic reactions to tsetse fly bites may occur in some individuals, potentially linking tsetse fly bites to AGS. Diagnosis and monitoring should consider factors beyond anti-alpha-Gal IgE antibody levels, such as arthropod salivary compounds and human immune biomarkers.
节肢动物叮咬引起的过敏反应在全球范围内日益受到关注。α-半乳糖综合征（AGS）是一种红肉过敏症，与抗半乳糖-α-1,3-半乳糖（α-半乳糖）的IgE抗体有关，通常与蜱虫叮咬有关，但其他节肢动物也可能起作用。本研究的目的是通过分析临床病例、公民科学数据以及采采蝇产生α-半乳糖的可能性，调查采采蝇（舌蝇属）叮咬与AGS之间的潜在关联。
来自五个涉及采采蝇叮咬的病例系列的数据包括年龄、性别和地理位置等人口统计学信息，以及症状和诊断等临床细节。采采蝇产生α-半乳糖的研究重点是通过酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）进行表位含量分析，以及使用逆转录定量聚合酶链反应（RT-qPCR）检测乌干达采采蝇全身和中肠组织中几种半乳糖基转移酶的表达。
这些病例包括在乌干达-卢旺达被采采蝇叮咬的患者，症状各异。患者居住在西班牙、美国或乌干达，没有蜱虫或其他节肢动物叮咬的记录或反应。病例1和病例2被诊断为AGS，而乌干达病例3表现出与AGS一致的症状。乌干达参与式或公民科学调查发现一名个体（病例4）在多次被采采蝇叮咬后对红肉出现过敏反应，而八名个体（汇总为分组病例5）对几次叮咬仅表现出局部皮肤反应。半乳糖基转移酶的表达表明这些节肢动物可能产生α-半乳糖修饰。
某些个体可能会出现对采采蝇叮咬的过敏性过敏反应，这可能将采采蝇叮咬与AGS联系起来。诊断和监测应考虑抗α-半乳糖IgE抗体水平以外的因素，如节肢动物唾液化合物和人类免疫生物标志物。
