Gal-a-1,3-Gal; a1-3Galactobiose , 3-O-(a-D-Galactopyranosyl)-D-galactopyranose

A carbohydrate, commonly known as alpha gal, found in most mammalian cell membranes. It is not found in primates, including humans, whose immune systems recognize it as a foreign body and produce xenoreactive immunoglobulin M antibodies, leading to organ rejection after transplantation. Anti-α gal immunoglobulin G antibodies are some of the most common in humans. Regular stimulation from gut flora, typically initiated within the first six months of life, leads to an exceptionally high titre of around 1% of all circulating IgG. Recent studies are showing increasing evidence that this allergy may be induced by the bite of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) in North America and the castor bean tick (Ixodes ricincus) in Sweden.