Cat-pork syndrome

Phenomenon of primary inhaled IgE-mediated sensitization to cat albumin and secondary cross-reaction with serum albumin in pork.

Meat allergies were found in children in a larger cohort (n=8,000) at about 7%. Another study (n=1537) showed a prevalence of 0.6% in adults. 3.4% of this cohort had a positive prick reaction to pork.

The IgE antibody is directed against the cat serum album Fel d 2, which is found in the saliva, urine, blood and thus also in the fur of the cat. The cause of this cross-allergy lies in an evolutionary strong conservation of the serum albumin. The sensitisation can also be caused by other fur-bearing animals (e.g. dogs) and can also affect other types of meat.

Mostly adults are affected.

In contrast to the classic pork allergy to alpha-Gal, the symptoms are mild due to the thermolability of the serum albumin. The albumin may be preserved during preparation under certain circumstances. Smoked products seem to trigger stronger reactions than well cooked pork.

1. Moriset M et al (2016) Horse-meat allergy mediated by dog-allergy: a case report an review of literature. Allergo J 25: 30-35