The α-gal Syndrome - Investigating Immune Reactions to Tick Bites
Tick bites can transmit pathogens, but they can also induce a food allergy to mammalian meat. The goal of this clinical trial is to follow immune response and antibody build-up in individuals bitten by a tick. Participants are invited to enroll within 48 hours after the tick removal and donate some blood. The tick is a
| Condition(s) | Alpha-Gal Syndrome |
|---|---|
| Status | Recruiting |
| Study type | Observational |
| Summary | Tick bites can transmit pathogens, but they can also induce a food allergy to mammalian meat. The goal of this clinical trial is to follow immune response and antibody build-up in individuals bitten by a tick. Participants are invited to enroll within 48 hours after the tick removal and donate some blood. The tick is also collected and analysed. Researchers will then try to answer the following questions: * Was the tick infected with parasites? * Did the participant make antibodies against tick proteins or tick-borne parasites? * Did the participant develop IgE antibodies against the alpha-Gal sugar? The alpha-Gal sugar is present on mammalian meat, and ticks can transmit the alpha-Gal sugar to the host during their blood meal. Humans recognize the alpha-Gal sugar as foreign and some indiv |
| Who can participate | Inclusion criteria: * Individuals aged ≥ 18 years, Male and Female. * Experience of a tick bite: the tick has been removed less than 48 hours ago, or the tick is still attached to the skin and can be removed on site by the study nurse. * Tick available for analysis. * Informed consent signed. Exclusion criteria: * Individuals \< 18 years of age, Male or Female. * Individuals with an acute viral/bacterial inflammation. * Individuals with an immune deficiency or under immunosuppressive treatments. * Individuals in receipt with immunotherapy with omalizumab. * Individuals with neurological diseases / impaired cognitive disorder. |
| Ages | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Accepts healthy volunteers | Yes |
| Lead sponsor | Luxembourg Institute of Health |
| Locations | Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Strassen, Luxembourg |
| Start date | 2025-07-01 |
| NCT ID | NCT07177729 |
| Official listing | https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07177729 |