Bitten by a Tick?

Bitten by a Tick? LIH Launches Study on Red-Meat Allergy and α-Gal Syndrome

The Molecular and Translational Allergology group at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) has launched a new research study called ImmunoGal, seeking volunteers from the public. The study investigates the link between tick bites and red-meat allergy, a condition known as α-Gal syndrome — still poorly understood by the scientific community.

What is α-Gal Syndrome?

Red-meat allergy, or α-Gal syndrome, is a potentially serious allergic condition triggered by the consumption of mammalian meat or by-products such as innards. Unlike most food allergies, symptoms typically appear several hours after eating. They range from skin reactions to combined symptoms including gastrointestinal and respiratory responses. Current research strongly suggests that tick bites are the primary trigger for developing this allergy, though many questions remain unanswered.

Why This Study Matters

“By studying immune responses in people right after a tick bite, we hope to understand why certain individuals develop allergic sensitizations and others don’t,” explains Dr Christiane Hilger, project leader and head of the Molecular and Translational Allergology group at the LIH. “Understanding these mechanisms could significantly improve our ability to diagnose, treat, and even prevent red-meat allergies and other tick-borne illnesses.”

How to Participate

If you have recently been bitten by a tick, you are invited to contact the LIH and visit the Luxembourg Research Clinic within 48 hours of detecting the bite, and again 4 to 6 weeks later. The study will analyse the tick species, screen for pathogens, and collect blood samples to monitor immune responses over time. A subgroup of participants will also be invited to a third visit 3 months after the bite for a complete follow-up at the Allergology unit of the Centre Hospitalier Luxembourg (CHL).

Key Questions the ImmunoGal Study Aims to Answer

• When and where do people most commonly get bitten by ticks in Luxembourg?
• Which tick species are responsible for α-Gal sensitisation?
• How frequently do ticks carry pathogens?
• Why does the immune system sometimes respond with severe allergic reactions?

Get Involved

Your participation could help researchers develop better prevention strategies and improve public health responses to tick-borne diseases and emerging allergies in Luxembourg and beyond.

For more information, visit www.lih.lu/immunogal or contact the LIH team at immunogal@lih.lu or +352 26970-400.

Funding & Collaboration

The ImmunoGal study is conducted in collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier Luxembourg and supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), project reference C24/BM/18907591.

About the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

The Luxembourg Institute of Health is a public biomedical research organisation dedicated to precision health. Focused on immune-related diseases and cancer, the LIH translates scientific excellence into direct benefits for patients, placing them at the heart of all its research activities.