The allergy is specifically to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, a very common carbohydrate that occurs in both the meat of domesticated ungulates and the saliva o

The allergy is specifically to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, a very common carbohydrate that occurs in both the meat of domesticated ungulates and the saliva of ticks, but which is not produced by primates. The idea is that tick bites initiate an exaggerated immune response, but more study is required.