Anaphylaxis to succinylated gelatin in a patient with a meat allergy: galactose-α(1, 3)-galactose (α-gal) as antigenic determinant.

Specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) antibodies towards the galactose-α(1,3)-galactose (α-gal) moieties may elicit life-threatening and fatal anaphylactic reactions. Patients sensitized to α-gal moieties from mammalian meat may also react towards mammalian gelatins and gelatin-containing drugs such as bovine gelatin-based colloid plasma substitute. The case of a 56 year old woman with a meat allergy who suffered anaphylaxis to succinylated gelatin is reported.