Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a severe, life-threatening allergy that can develop after a tick bite. There are an estimated 450,000 people suffering from alpha-gal syndrome in the United States.
Also known as the “red-meat allergy,” AGS typically involves adverse reactions to mammalian products, which can be found in meat, dairy, medical supplies, makeup, and many household supplies. The symptoms are often delayed, making AGS more difficult to diagnose, and can be life-threatening, as in cases of anaphylaxis.
With suspected cases rising sharply across the U.S. and many going undiagnosed, clinician awareness is urgently needed. However, a 2022 report found that out of 1,500 health care providers, 42% had never heard of alpha-gal syndrome, and only 5% were confident in their ability to diagnose AGS and help patients who were suffering from it.
Two new continuing medical education (CME) courses aim to change that by giving health care providers the knowledge they need to recognize AGS and help patients manage it.
“Understanding and Managing Gal Syndrome (AGS) for Health Care Providers,” which is available in both English and Spanish, teaches health care professionals about AGS symptoms, diagnostic tests, and prevention methods—including how to counsel patients on avoiding tick bites. Clinicians can earn free continuing education credits through CDC TRAIN by completing the course and passing an assessment.
The module will encompass the following:
As part of our mission to advance clinician education, Project Lyme is proud to sponsor a free, accredited CME course, “Basics of Alpha-gal Allergy” (0.75 credits, AAFP & ACCME).
Developed with VectorWise CME and taught by Dr. Scott Commins, Associate Professor at the UNC School of Medicine and leading expert on alpha-gal syndrome, the course equips providers to better recognize, diagnose, and manage this complex condition.
Ali Moresco, Board Chair of Project Lyme, commented on the urgency of a CME on this topic: “Alpha-gal Syndrome is one of the fastest-growing tick-borne conditions in the United States, yet awareness among clinicians still lags far behind the need. At Project Lyme, we are proud to partner with VectorWise CME to provide this accredited course that arms healthcare providers with the knowledge to recognize, diagnose, and treat AGS. By equipping clinicians with evidence-based education, we move one step closer to protecting patients, preventing misdiagnosis, and improving quality of life for the hundreds of thousands already impacted.”
This CME course will assist health care providers to:
Both of these new CME courses take steps to improve patient outcomes, reduce misdiagnoses, and raise awareness of the growing threat of alpha-gal syndrome. They offer health care providers another tool in the fight against tick-borne diseases.
References:
Carpenter A, Drexler NA, McCormick DW, et al. Health Care Provider Knowledge Regarding Alpha-gal Syndrome — United States, March–May 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:809–814. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7230a1
https://www.cdc.gov/alpha-gal-syndrome/hcp/resources-training/index.html
https://learn.vectorwisecme.org/p/basics-of-alpha-gal-allergy
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