Niveles de calprotectina fecal en pacientes con anticuerpos anti-transglutaminasa positivos y pacientes con dieta libre de gluten / Fecal calprotectin levels in patients with positive anti-transglutaminase antibodies and patients on a gluten free diet / Niveis de calprotectina fecal em pacientes com anticorpos anti-transglutaminase positivos e pacientes com dieta livre de gluten

La calprotectina fecal se ha afianzado en los últimos años como un marcador útil de las patologías gastrointestinales. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los niveles de calprotectina fecal (CPF), interleuquina-6 (IL-6) y proteína C reactiva (PCR) en tres grupos de pacientes: con diagnóstico de novo de enfermedad celíaca, con diagnóstico previo y dieta libre de gluten (DLG) y un grupo control. Se colectaron muestras de 79 pacientes entre 18 y 65 años. A todos se les determinó CPF, IL-6 y PCR como marcadores de inflamación y anticuerpos anti-transglutaminasa IgA y anti-gliadinas desaminadas IgA e IgG como marcadores serológicos. Se encontraron valores significativamente incrementados de PCR en el grupo de novo (124,06 μg/g) comparados con el grupo con DLG (23,61 μg/g) y el grupo control (16,91 μg/g) respectivamente. No se encontraron diferencias entre el grupo con DLG y el negativo (control). Idéntico comportamiento se observó para IL-6 con valores en el grupo de novo de 2,39 μg/dL, 1,74 μg/dL en el grupo con DLG y 1,41 μg/dL en el control negativo. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el análisis de resultados de PCR. Se encontró una excelente sensibilidad (98,0%) y especificidad (96,6%) en la capacidad de la CPF para diferenciar valores de anti-transglutaminasa IgA superiores o inferiores al punto de corte cuando se estimó el índice de Youden. Se podría considerar a la CPF como un posible marcador sensible para indicar inflamación intestinal de manera no invasiva en la enfermedad celíaca.

The determination of fecal calprotectin has been strengthened in recent years as a useful marker of gastrointestinal pathologies. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of fecal calprotectin (FCP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in three groups of patients: with de novo diagnosis of celiac disease, with previous diagnosis and gluten-free diet (GFD) and a control group. Samples were collected from 79 patients between 18 and 65 years old. In all cases, FCP, IL-6 and RCP were determined as markers of inflammation and anti-transglutaminase IgA and deaminated anti-gliadin IgA and IgG antibodies as serological markers. Significantly more increased FCP values were found in the de novo group (124.06 μg/g) than in the group with DLG (23.61 μg/g) and the control group (16.91 μg/g). No differences were found between the group with GFD and the negative. The same trend was observed for IL-6 with values in the de novo group of 2.39 μg/dL, 1.74 μg/dL in the group with gluten free diet and 1.41 μg/dL in the negative control. No significant differences were found in the analysis of RCP results. Excellent sensitivity (98.0%) and specificity (96.6%) were found in the capability of the FCP to differentiate anti-transglutaminase IgA values higher or lower than the cut-off point when the Youden index was estimated. The FCP could be considered as a possible sensitive marker to indicate intestinal inflammation in a non-invasive manner in celiac disease.

A calprotectina fecal se consolidou nos ultimos anos como um marcador util das patologias gastrointestinais. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os niveis de calprotectina fecal (CPF), interleucina-6 (IL-6) e proteina C-reativa (PCR) em tres grupos de pacientes; com diagnostico de novo de doenca celiaca, com diagnostico previo e dieta livre de gluten (DLG) e um grupo controle. Foram coletadas amostras de 79 pacientes entre 18 e 65 anos. Em todos os casos CPF, IL-6 e PCR foram determinadas como marcadores de inflamacao e anticorpos anti-transglutaminase IgA e anti-gliadinas desaminadas IgA e IgG como marcadores sorologicos. Valores significantemente mais altos de PCR foram detectados no grupo de novo (124,06 μg/g) comparados com o grupo com DLG (23,61 μg/g) e o grupo controle (16,91 μg/g) respectivamente. Nao foram encontradas diferencas entre o grupo com DLG e o negativo (controle). O mesmo comportamento foi observado para IL-6 com valores no grupo de novo de 2,39 μg/dL, 1,74 μg/dL no grupo com DLG e 1,41 μg/dL no controle negativo. Na analise de resultados da PCR nao foram encontradas diferencas significativas. Foram detectadas uma sensibilidade excelente (98,0%) e especificidade (96,6%) na habilidade da CPF para diferenciar valores de anti-transglutaminase IgA superiores ou inferiores ao ponto de corte quando o indice de Youden foi estimado. Poderia ser considerada a CPF como um possivel marcador sensivel para identificar inflamacao intestinal de forma nao invasiva na doenca celiaca.

The clinical, imaging, intestinal pathological characteristics of gluten ataxia: a case report in Chinese mainland / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical,imaging,intestinal pathological characteristics and prognosis of gluten ataxia (GA).Methods The clinical data,treatment and prognosis in a patient with GA that was confirmed by pathology and hospitalized in the Department of Neurology,China-Japan Friendship Hospital in July 2018,were analyzed retrospectively.The related literature was reviewed and the clinical feature was summarized.Results The patient is a 41-year old man.He suffered from progressive cerebellar ataxia,and the brain magnetic resonance imaging exhibited diffused cerebellar atrophy.Serum human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tests showed that the patient carried HLA-DQ2 genotype.IgA type anti-gliadin antibody was positive (39.39 RU/ml).Duodenoscopy biopsy revealed mild villus atrophy and lymphocytic infiltration,indicating celiac disease.The diagnosis of GA was established then and the patient was administered gluten-free diet combined with intravenous immunoglobulin,which markedly improved the cerebellar symptoms and signs of cerebellar speech,walk capability and daily living activities.He could do long distance driving independently two months later.Conclusions GA is one of immune-mediated reversible acquired cerebellar ataxia caused by gluten sensitivity.The genotype,serologic features,and clinical phenotype of GA in Chinese mainland population might be similar with those in European and American countries.

EVALUACIÓN DE LA EXACTITUD DIAGNÓSTICA DE ANTICUERPOS ANTIGLIADINA DEAMINADA IgG (a-DGP) EN ENFERMEDAD CELÍACA

Introducción: Si bien la biopsia intestinal es la técnica-patrón para el diagnóstico de la Enfermedad Celíaca (EC), los ensayos serológicos son un importante complemento en el screening, diagnóstico y seguimiento de la misma. Estos son anticuerpos anti-Transglutaminasa IgA (aTgt), anticuerpos anti-endomisio IgA (EMA) y anticuerpos anti-péptidos de gliadina-deaminados IgG (a-DGP). Nuestros objetivos fueron evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica de a-DGP en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de EC que concurrieron al Hospital Córdoba y comparar la concordancia de a-DGP con aTgt y EMA. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio experimental en el Hospital Córdoba. Se analizaron sueros conservados a - 20° C, de 54 pacientes (Marzo de 2015 a Diciembre 2017) sometidos a biopsia intestinal. Las muestras de tejido permitieron determinar los siguientes grupos:´ Grupo Enfermedad Celíaca (GEC): 25 pacientes con biopsia positiva para EC, de acuerdo a la clasificación de Marsh. Grupo Control (GC): 29 pacientes con biopsia negativa para EC. Se determinaron niveles de: a-DGP y aTgt por ELISA comercial, EMA por Inmunofluorescencia indirecta e Ig A sérica por inmunoturbidimetría. Análisis estadísticos de los datos: Se utilizaron los programas estadísticos "InfoStat" y "MedCalc" 10.2.0.0. La concordancia se determinó por el índice kappa (κ). Un valor de p <0,05 fue considerado estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: El valor de corte para a-DGP fue de 15,4 U/ml. La exactitud diagnostica para el título de corte fue de 94,44%. El valor de corte para aTgt fue de 9,3 U/ml. La exactitud diagnostica fue de 92,59 %. La concordancia entre a-DGP y aTgt fue sustancial (κ= 0.740) y casi perfecto entre a-DGP y EMA (κ=0,851). Conclusiones: El ELISA para a-DGP demostró una elevada exactitud diagnóstica. Se observó una mejor concordancia de a-DGP con EMA que con aTgt. Los resultados obtenidos confirman el potencial clínico de este marcador serológico como complemento diagnóstico de EC.

Introduction: Although intestinal biopsy is the standard technique for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease (CD), serological tests are an important complement in the screening, diagnosis and follow-up of the same. These are antibodies IgA to transglutaminase antibodies (aTgt), Ig A antibodies to endomysium (EMA) and antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptides (a-DGP). Our objectives were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a-DGP in adult patients with a diagnosis of CD who attended the Córdoba Hospital and compare the concordance of a-DGP with aTgt and EMA. Materials and methods: An experimental study was carried out at the Hospital Córdoba. Serums conserved at -20 ° C were analyzed, from 54 patients (March 2015 to December 2017) submitted to intestinal biopsy. The tissue samples allowed to determine the following groups: Celiac Disease Group (GEC): 25 patients with a positive biopsy for CD, according to the Marsh classification. Control Group (GC): 29 patients with negative biopsy for CD. Levels of: a-DGP and aTgt were determined by commercial ELISA, EMA by indirect Immunofluorescence and serum IgA by immunoturbidimetry. Statistical analysis of the data: Statistical programs "InfoStat" and "MedCalc" 10.2.0.0 were used. The concordance was determined by the kappa index (κ). A value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The cut-off value for a-DGP was 15.4 U / ml. The diagnostic accuracy for the cutoff title was 94.44%. The cut-off value for aTgt was 9.3 U / ml. The diagnostic accuracy was 92.59%. The agreement between a-DGP and aTgt was substantial (κ = 0.740) and almost perfect between a-DGP and EMA (κ = 0.851). Conclusions: The ELISA for a-DGP demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy. A better concordance of a-DGP with EMA was observed than with aTgt. The results obtained confirm the clinical potential of this serological marker as a diagnostic complement of CD.

Celiac Crisis: an unusual presentation of gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Celiac disease (CD)­also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy­is a chronic, genetically predisposing and autoimmune entity with a wide range of clinical manifestations triggered by gluten ingestion, which affects 1% of the general population. Currently, up to 60% of the diagnosis of CD is in adults due to the atypical course of the disease. The severe acute onset of CD­also called celiac crisis­is very uncommon and is still not well documented in adults. We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented a 45-day history of subtle-onset diarrhea followed by malabsorption syndrome with progressive weight loss, anasarca, and electrolyte disturbances. The diagnostic work-up included an upper digestive endoscopy, which showed scalloping of the duodenal mucosa with pathological features confirmed on biopsies. Specific antibodies were positive, and a satisfactory clinical response was obtained once a gluten-free diet was started. Celiac crisis is a rare initial presentation of CD characterized by severe diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, hypoproteinemia, and metabolic and electrolyte disturbances. Although rare, it should be considered in patients with apparently unexplained chronic diarrhea.

A New Diagnostic Criteria of Wheat-Dependent, Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is an allergic reaction induced by intense exercise combined with wheat ingestion. The gold standard for diagnosis of WDEIA is a food exercise challenge; however, this test is unacceptable for Chinese WDEIA patients and unable to be approved by the Ethics Committee of Chinese hospitals due to substantial risk. There are no diagnostic criteria for Chinese WDEIA patients. The aim of present study was to propose new practical diagnosis criteria for Chinese WDEIA patients.@*Methods@#We prospectively included 283 clinically diagnosed WDEIA patients from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014, and in the meanwhile, three groups were enrolled which included 133 patients with the history of anaphylaxis induced by food other than wheat, 186 recurrent urticaria patients, and 94 healthy participants. Clinical comprehensive evaluation by allergists used as the reference gold standard, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, areas under curve (AUC) for specific immunoglobin E (sIgE) were compared to evaluate the diagnostic value of IgE specific to wheat, gluten, and ω-5 gliadin. Patients were followed up by telephone questionnaire 1 year after diagnosis.@*Results@#We reviewed 567 anaphylactic reactions in 283 WDEIA patients. Of these anaphylactic reactions, 415 (73.3%) reactions were potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Among the 567 anaphylactic reactions, 75% (425/567) occurred during exercise. The highest AUC (0.910) was observed for sIgE for gluten, followed by omega-5 gliadin (AUC 0.879). Combined gluten- and ω-5 gliadin-specific IgE testing provided sensitivity and specificity of 73.1% and 99.0%, respectively. During the 1-year follow-up period, repeat anaphylaxis was rare when patients observed strict avoidance of wheat products combined with exercise or other triggering agents.@*Conclusions@#In this study, we proposed diagnostic criteria and management of WDEIA patients in China. Our present study suggested that confirmed anaphylactic reactions triggered by wheat with positive sIgE to gluten and omega-5-gliadin may provide supportive evidence for clinicians to make WDEIA diagnosis without performing a food exercise challenge.

Associations between human plasma anti-gliadin antibodies and occurrence of schizophrenia in patients with different ages / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective; To investigate the associations between the levels of human plasma anti-gliadin antibodies and occurrence of schizophrenia in the patients with different ages in Chinese Han population, and to clarify the effects of human plasma anti-gliadin antibodies in the occurrence of schizophrenia. Methods; The plasma samples were collected from 313 schizophrenia patients (schizophrenia group) and 408 healthy controls (healthy control group) in Chinese Han population. The levels of human anti-gliadin IgA and IgG antibodies of the subjects in various groups were detected by enzyme-linked immnosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The levels of human plasma anti-gliadin IgA and IgG antibodies in the subjects in schizophrenia group and healthy control group were analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis and compared by Mann-Whitney U test; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. Results; The level of plasma anti-gliadin IgA antibody showed a significantly positive correlation with the age and age ranges of the subjects (r= 0. 177, P0. 05). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of anti-gliadin IgA and IgG antibodies were 0.573 (SE = 0. 022, 95% Cl: 0.53-0.62) and 0. 520 (SE=0. 022, 95%CI; 0. 48-0. 56). The sensitivities of anti-gliadin IgA and IgG antibodies were 13. 7% and 12. 8% when the specificity was 92. 2%. Conclusion; The increasing of plasma anti-gliadin antibodies level is associated with the occurrence of schizophrenia in the patients with different age ranges in Chinese Han population, and the human plasma anti-gliadin antibodies maybe play an important role in the young schizophrenia patients.

An analysis of clinical features of celiac disease patients in different ethnic / 中华内科杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical features of different racial patients with celiac disease (CD) and analyze the disease prevalence,diagnosis and treatment in Chinese population.Methods All the patients were diagnosed as CD and enrolled in Beijing United Family Hospital between January 2005 and July 2015.Clinical data including nationality,age,symptoms,endoscopic and pathological findings,outcome were collected and compared in patients from different countries.Results A total of 87 patients were enrolled including 63 Caucasians,18 Asian patients and 6 Middle East patients.The peak age of disease onset was 40-60 years old.Patients with typical symptoms such as chronic diarrhea and weight loss only accounted for 20.7％ (18/87) and 9.2％ (8/87) respectively.Some patients presented with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating [32.2％ (28/87)],even constipation [5.7％ (5/87)].13.8％ (12/87) patients were previously diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome.The incidence of abdominal pain,bloating,diarrhea and constipation between Asians and Caucasians had no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05);but the proportions of weight loss,growth retardation,iron deficiency anemia and dermatitis herpetiformis in Asian group were significantly higher than that in Caucasian group (P ＜ 0.05).IgA type of anti-gliadin antibody (AGA),endomysium antibody (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTGA) were dominant autoimmune antibodies in patients with CD,which accounted for 58.6％ (51/87),44.8％ (39/87) and 36.8％ (32/87) respectively.The endoscopy showed that the lesion of CD was mainly located in small intestine,with reducing severity from the proximal to the distal small intestine.The lesions of duodenal bulb and descending duodenum appeared more significant in Asian group.Accordingly pathological intestinal atrophy and the degree of intraepithelial lymphocytosis were more severe in Asian patients.All 87 cases took the gluten-free diet (GFD).Eighty-one cases received serological follow up and 8 with endoscopic intestinal biopsy.The celiac disease antibodies in 47 patients turned negative from 6-9 months after GFD treatment,while 34 patients turned negative from 12-18 months after GFD.All patients reported disease remission to some extent.After 1 year GFD treatment,the pathology of endoscopic intestinal biopsy in 8 patients showed significant improvement of villous atrophy and lymphocyte infiltration.Conclusions CD patients with typical clinical manifestations are not the majority.Serological celiac disease antibodies (AGA,EMA and tTGA) have a high diagnostic value.GFD treatment is effective on majority of celiac patients.Clinical manifestations,endoscopy,intestinal pathology,and response to GFD in Chinese patients are not the same as Caucasians.Clinicians need to pay attention to the differential diagnosis.

Anti-gliadin Antibodies and Gluten Neuropathies: A Borderline Link.

The aim of this research was to estimate the prevalence of gluten sensitivity in neurologic diseases of unknown etiology and to determine their clinical and biological characteristics in a Moroccan population. Patients and Methods: A prospective case-control study was performed on 60 patients and 57 controls. Patients and controls underwent a screening for IgG and IgA anti-gliadin antibodies (ELISA anti-Gliadin, Orgentec, threshold: 12 IU/ml), and IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (ELISA IgA-tGTA, DRG, threshold: 10 IU/m). Results: The median age of patients was 43±13.91 years (ranges: 13-67), versus 39.4±9.12 (ranges: 19-58) for controls. Male to female sexe-ratio was 0.7 for patients vs 2.1 for controls. IgG and/or IgA anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) were positive in 26.7% of cases (n=16) vs 15.8% (n=9) in controls (p=0.15), while IgA-tTGA was negative in all patients, but positive in 1 control. Positive AGA cases corresponded to peripheral neuropathy (n=4), ataxia (n=3), ischemic stroke (n=3), myopathy (n=2), and 1 case for each of the following conditions: multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cerebral thrombophlebitis and myelopathy. Among the positive AGA cases, IgA isotype was more prevalent, but IgG AGA titers were higher and clinically more relevant. Conclusion: Gluten Sensitivity is a potential cause of unknown etiological neurologic diseases in young adults, particularly peripheral neuropathy, ataxia and ischemic stroke. AGA testing especially IgG isotype might be a suitable marker to screen for gluten neuropathies.

Usefulness of specific IgE antibody levels to wheat, gluten, and ω-5 gliadin for wheat allergy in Korean children

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness and added diagnostic value of specific IgE antibodies to wheat, gluten, and ω-5 gliadin in diagnosing wheat allergy and distinguishing wheat anaphylaxis. METHODS: This study included 196 children who visited Ajou University Hospital for suspicious food allergy. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: the wheat allergy (WA) and non-wheat allergy (non-WA) groups. Patients with wheat allergy were further divided into 2 subgroups according to their symptoms: the wheat allergy with anaphylaxis (WA(Ana)) and wheat allergy without anaphylaxis (WA(Non-Ana)) groups. Serum concentrations of total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to wheat, gluten and ω-5 gliadin were measured. RESULTS: The median values of specific IgE antibodies to wheat, gluten and ω-5 gliadin were significantly higher in the WA group than in the non-WA group, and the positive decision points (95% specificity) were at 3.12, 2.61, and 0.21 kUA/L, respectively. The combination of specific IgE antibodies to wheat and ω-5 gliadin resulted in the highest accuracy of 93.9% in diagnosing wheat allergy. In differentiating the WA(Ana) group from the WA(Non-Ana) group, only specific IgE antibody to ω-5 gliadin showed a significant difference at the optimal cutoff point of 1.56 kUA/L. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the individual levels of specific IgE antibodies to wheat, gluten or ω-5 gliadin may have a considerably high accuracy in diagnosing wheat allergy and that specific IgE antibody to ω-5 gliadin may be particularly useful in predicting wheat anaphylaxis.

Analysis on association between anti-gliadin IgA and anti-gliadin IgG antibodies and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective To detect the levels of anti-gliadin IgA and anti-gliadin IgG antibodies in the plasma of the patients with schizophrenia, and to investigate the association between schizophrenia and anti-gliadin IgA, IgG bodies in a Chinese Han population, and to clarify the effect of gliadin on the occurrence of schizophrenia.Methods The plasma samples were collected from 428 patients with schizophrenia and 555 cases of normal control subjects in a Chinese Han population.The gliadin antibodies in plasma,including IgA and IgG,were tested using a native anti-gliadin ELISA test kit.The positive rates of plasma anti-gliadin IgA,and anti-gliadin IgG were tested by Chi-square test between the patients with schizophrenia and control subj ects. The differences of the levels of anti-gliadin IgA and anti-gliadin IgG were tested by Mann-Whitney U test between the patients with schizophrenia and control subjects.Results Compared with normal control group,the anti-gliadin IgA level and the positive rate of plasma anti-gliadin IgA in patient group were increased significantly(P0.05).The anti-gliadin IgA levels in the patients with delusion of observation,delusion of being revealed,delusion of persecution, delusion of j ealousy, delusion of grandeur, incoherence of thinking, illogic thought, bizarre behavior,aggressive behavior,hallucination-delusion syndrome,poverty of thought,emotional blunting/apathy and aboulia were higher than that of the normal controls (P<0.05);the anti-gliadin IgG levels in the patients with delusion of being revealed and delusion of grandeur were higher than that of the normal controls (P<0.05 ). Conclusion Gliadin is associated with the onset of schizophrenia in Chinese Han population, and the plasma antibodies of gliadin maybe play an important rale in the onset of schizophrenia.

Prevalence of Anti-deamidated Gliadin Peptide Antibodies in Asian Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been increasingly recognized as a predisposing factor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms in Western populations where celiac disease (CD) is relatively common. In Asia where CD is rare, we wish to determine the prevalence of gluten protein associated serology in IBS patients, which has not been formally studied, and its relation to histological and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers. METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive cohort of Asian patients with IBS, who had undergone serologic testing for IgA against deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (IgA DGP) and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies, and who also had duodenal biopsies during clinical workup. In addition, a subset of Chinese patients with positive serology was further tested for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. RESULTS: Of 186 patients, 34 (18%) were positive for IgA DGP; bloating, abdominal pain, belching and diarrhea were the most commonly reported symptoms but diarrhea as the most bothersome symptom was significantly more common in IgA DGP positive patients. Mildly increased intra-epithelial lymphocytes on duodenal biopsy was also more common (29% vs. 9%, P = 0.001). Nine of 21 Chinese patients tested as IgA DGP positive undertook HLA-DQ2/DQ8 testing, with only 2 being positive for HLA-DQ8. All patients with positive IgA DGP reported symptom improvement with gluten withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a series of Asian, mainly Chinese, patients with IBS who were tested positive for IgA DGP, and improved on a gluten exclusion diet. We believe this is the first report of non-celiac gluten sensitivity in Asia, a region where CD is uncommon.

Primer estudio de prevalencia de la condición celíaca en Venezuela / First study of prevalence of celiac condition in Venezuela

Introducción: La celiaquía es una enteropatía inmune desencadenada por la ingestión de cereales que contienen gluten en individuos predispuestos genéticamente, caracterizada por un síndrome de malabsorción intestinal con un espectro variable de manifestaciones. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de esta enfermedad en una población de Venezuela. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 308 individuos de diversas ciudades del país. En cada caso se determinó anticuerpos anti-gliadina IgG e IgA, anti-transglutaminasa IgG e IgA, y anti-endomisiales. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó Instad, SPSS y EPI INFO. Resultados: Se obtuvo 3% de individuos con marcadores positivos; el 20.13% se encontraban entre 1 y 15 años, 11,6% de 16 a 24 años, 7,14% de 25 a 40 años, 26,62% de 41 a 50 años y 34,51% de 51 y 72 años. Aún cuando la mayoría provenían de Caracas, fueron reportados casos en Carabobo, Aragua, Lara, Zulia, Táchira, Anzoátegui, Mérida, Monagas, Guárico, Cojedes, Bolívar, Sucre, Portuguesa y Miranda. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren una importante prevalencia de esta condición en el país, siendo necesario ampliar estas investigaciones, a fin de determinar la relevancia exacta del problema con una población más representativa e implementar medidas de salud pública adecuadas.

Introduction: Celiac condition is a immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by ingestion of gluten-containing cereals in genetically predisposed individuals, characterized by intestinal malabsorption syndrome a variable spectrum of manifestations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of this disease in the population of Venezuela. Materials and Methods: We studied 308 individuals from various cities. In each case, the determination was made of anti-gliadin IgG and IgA anti-transglutaminase IgG and IgA and anti-endomysial. The statistical analysis was used Entreat, SPSS and EPI INFO. Results: We obtained 3% of patients with positive markers for this condition, of which the 20.13% were between 1 and 15 years, 11.6% from 16 to 24 years, 7.14% from 25 to 40, 26.62% from 41 to 50 and 34.51% of 51 and 72. Although most came from Caracas, positive cases were reported in Carabobo, Aragua, Lara, Zulia, Táchira, Anzoategui, Merida, Monagas, Guárico, Cojedes, Bolívar, Sucre, Portuguesa and Miranda. Conclusion: The results strongly suggest a significant prevalence of this condition in the country, being necessary to extend these investigations to determine the exact significance of the problem with a more representative population and implement appropriate public health measures.

Comparison of Specific IgE Antibodies to Wheat Component Allergens in Two Phenotypes of Wheat Allergy

Specific IgE to gliadin was proposed as a marker for wheat dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis, while Tri a 14 was found to induce IgE response in baker's asthma. We evaluated whether these components could be used for discriminating phenotypes of wheat allergy. Twenty-nine patients who were wheat-induced anaphylaxis and/or urticaria (n=21, group I) and baker's asthma (n=8, group II) were enrolled. The prevalence of serum specific IgE to Tri a 14 was higher in group II (25%) than in group I (4.8%), while the serum specific IgE to gliadin was significantly higher in group I (70%) than in group II (12.5%). The cutoff value for predicting the baker's asthma using the ratio of serum specific IgE to Tri a 14 to gliadin was 742.8 optical densityx1,000/(kU/L) with high sensitivity and specificity. These findings suggest that Tri a 14/gliadin may be a potential marker for predicting baker's asthma.

Enfermedad celíaca silente en epilepsia criptogénica del adulto / Silent celiac disease among 21 patients with cryptogenic epilepsy

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is predominant in women and young people. Atypical, non-enteric symptoms are more common among adults. There is also an association between CD and neurological disorders, especially with cerebellar ataxia, polyneuropathy and epilepsy. Aim: To study the frequency of CD in a group of adults with cryptogenic epilepsy. Material and Methods: Twenty one patients with cryptogenic epilepsy, aged 20 to 65years (14 women) were studied, measuring IgA-anti transglutaminase antibodies and deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) IgG and IgA antibodies. Results: One patient had elevated titers of both types of antibodies. Small bowel biopsy showed villous atrophy and lymphocytic infiltration compatible with CD. Conclusions: One of 21 adult patients with cryptogenic epilepsy had a silent CD.

El gluten: Su historia y efectos en la enfermedad celíaca / History of gluten and its effects on celiac disease

The global prevalence of celiac disease is of one person per 250 inhabitants. The disease is induced by gluten, a peptide contained in wheat, rye and barley that during small intestinal digestion generates smaller peptides. Some of these are resistant to hydrolysis and cross through the epithelium into the mucosa, inducing a cascade of immune reactions leading to the appearance of the disease in susceptible individuals. Gluten appeared as a consequence of agricultural practices initiated 10000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent of southwest Asia. Celiac disease epidemiology is complicated since consumption of gluten differs depending on the origin of populations. Treatment of celiac disease consists of withdrawing gluten from the diet, a task that becomes difficult in the long term. The concept of gluten-free food has changed along time. This article updates the concept of celiac disease, the history of gluten consumption in the world, the characteristics of a gluten free diet and the difficulties to adhere to it.

Detección de anticuerpos antigliadina y antitransglutaminasa en pacientes con clínica sugestiva de enfermedad celíaca / Detection of anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase antibodies in patients with possible celiac disease

La enfermedad celíaca es una enfermedad autoinmune que cursa con procesos inflamatorios en la mucosa del intestino delgado. Se produce por la ingesta de una fracción proteica del gluten de la dieta en individuos genéticamente predispuestos. Tiene diferentes formas de presentación que van desde la sintomática, típica o atípica, hasta la silente. La detección de autoanticuerpos con diversas especificidades debe ser considerada como indispensable en todos aquellos enfermos donde predominan síntomas digestivos y afectaciones nutricionales, aunque no deben descartarse otras sintomatologías atípicas como son el retraso en el crecimiento y desarrollo. En nuestro trabajo se estudió la presencia de anticuerpos antigliadina y antitransglutaminasa en el suero de 110 enfermos con clínica sugestiva de enfermedad celíaca, y se detectaron anticuerpos en 23 enfermos: 11 con antigliadina, antitransglutaminasa y biopsia positiva; 6 con antigliadina positiva, antitransglutaminasa negativa y biopsia positiva y 6 con antigliadina positiva, antitransglutaminasa negativa y biopsia negativa.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune entity with inflammatory processes in small intestine. It is caused by ingesta of gluten protein fraction in the diet of subjects with genetic predisposition subjects and has different ways of presentation including the symptomatic, typical or atypical and silent type. The detection of autoantibodies with diverse specificities must to be considered as essential in all those patients where there is predominance of digestive symptoms and nutritional affections without to rule out other atypical symptomatologies including the growth and development retard. The objective of present paper was to study the presence of anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase in serum of 110 patients presenting with celiac disease and it was possible to detect antibodies in 23 patients: 11 with anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase and a positive biopsy; 6 with positive anti-gliadin, negative anti-transglutaminase and a positive biopsy, negative anti-transglutaminase and also a negative biopsy.

Determinación del contenido de gliadinas en alimentos elaborados con amaranto, quínoa y/o chía / Gliadins determination in food elaborated with amaranth, quínoa and/or chía

Amaranth, quínoa and chía are naturally gluten-free products that may be used in a celiac diet. An ELISA, using R-Biopharm RIDASCREEN gliadin, was used to determine a possible cross contamination with gliadins. Thirty-seven samples of foods with these ingredients were analyzed. Nine samples had levels higher than 20 mglKg, the maximum gluten level established by Codex Alimentarius: three of them were cereal bars with the inscription is in TACC and/or ìwithout gluteni, two were cereal bars without inscriptions about gluten content, one was a mixture of ground seeds, others were pop amaranth and quínoa crops (sold at retail) and the last was an amaranth flour which was labeled ifor celiac patients. Twenty-eight remaining samples had gluten content below 20 mglKg. Foods elaborated with amaranth, quínoa and/or chía are suitable for celiac patients. However, the manufacturers must apply good manufacturing practices in all the different steps in gluten-free foodstuff production and celiac patients should not buy these products when they are sold at retail, because of possible cross contamination that can occur at the stores.

Amaranto, quínoa y chía, por ser naturalmente libres de gluten, pueden ser incorporados en la dieta celíaca. Con el objeto de evaluar una posible contaminación cruzada con gliadinas no permitidas, se analizaron 37 alimentos con estos ingredientes mediante un enzi-moinmunoensayo utilizando RIDASCREEN gliadin de R-Biopharm. Considerando el contenido máximo de gluten establecido por el Codex Alimentarius (20 mg/ Kg), nueve productos superaron la norma: tres barras de cereales que declaraban "sin TACC" y/o "no contiene gluten", dos barras de cereales que no tenían ninguna declaración respecto del contenido de gluten, una mezcla de semillas molidas, una muestra de amaranto popeado comprado al detalle, una muestra de semillas de quinoa comprada suelta en un mercado de la provincia de Salta y una muestra de harina de amaranto envasada que declaraba "apto para celíacos". En las veintiocho muestras restantes se evidenció un contenido de gluten inferior a los 20 mg/Kg. Los productos elaborados con amaranto, quínoa y/o chía son seguros para personas con celiaquía; sin embargo, los fabricantes deben implementar buenas prácticas de manufactura en las diferentes etapas de elaboración de alimentos libres de gluten y las personas celíacas no deben consumir alimentos supuestamente aptos que se expenden al detalle, por la posible contaminación cruzada que puede darse en los comercios.

Exactitud diagnóstica de anticuerpos antipéptidos de gliadina deamidados / Diagnostic accuracy of antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptides

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica de un ELISA para anticuerpos antipéptidos de gliadina deamidados en pacientes con sospecha clínica de enfermedad celíaca (EC) y comparar su rendimiento con anticuerpos antiendomisio (EMA) y antitransglutaminasa tisular (a-Tgt). Se estudiaron 169 pacientes consecutivos (16 a 79 años), sometidos recientemente a biopsia duodenal, a los cuales se les determinó anticuerpos IgA EMA, IgA a-Tgt e IgG/IgA antipéptidos de gliadina deamidados (a-DGP Screen). Sesenta y cinco pacientes tuvieron algún grado de atrofia vellositaria y probable diagnóstico de EC (11 con atrofia vellositaria parcial, 30 subtotal y 24 total) y 104 con estructura vellositaria conservada. La sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud diagnóstica de a-DGP Screen fue de 86,2%, 98,1% y 93,5% respectivamente, similar a EMA y a-Tgt. Al considerar sólo pacientes con atrofia vellositaria subtotal y total la sensibilidad fue estadísticamente superior en los 3 ensayos (100% para a-DGP Screen, p<0,014). Se observó una excelente concordancia entre a-DGP Screen con EMA (k= 0,99) y con a-Tgt (k = 0,97). El equipo a-DGP Screen demostró una elevada exactitud diagnóstica; su rendimiento fue equivalente a EMA y a-Tgt.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an ELISA for antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptides in patients clinically suspected of having celiac disease (CD), and to compare this with antibodies to endomysium (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase (a-Tgt). One hundred and sixty-nine consecutive patients (16 to 79 yo) that had recently underwent small-bowel biopsy were included; serum samples were obtained for the measurement of IgA EMA, IgA a-Tgt and IgG/IgA antideamidated gliadin peptides (a-DGP Screen) antibodies. Sixty-five patients had some degree of villous atrophy with probable diagnostic of CD (11 partial, 30 subtotal and 24 total villous atrophy); 104 individuals had normal villous architecture. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a-DGP Screen were 86.2%, 98.1% and 93.5% respectively, similar to EMA or a-Tgt. When only patients with subtotal and total villous atrophy were considered, the sensitivity was statistically higher for the 3 tests (100% for a-DGP Screen, p<0.014). An excellent agreement was observed among a-DGP Screen with EMA (κ= 0,99) and with a-Tgt (κ = 0,97). The a-DGP Screen assay showed a high diagnostic accuracy with a performance equivalent to EMA or a-Tgt.

A Case of Gluten Allergy in a 4-Year-Old Boy With Recurrent Urticaria / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Wheat is the most widely cultivated grain and an important source of food and dietary protein. Wheat proteins are classified based on extraction in different solvents, which are albumin, globulin, prolamin (gliadin) and glutenin. The term 'gluten' contains approximately equal amounts of gliadin and glutenin and is the major determinant of the properties of wheat flour conferring cohesiveness and viscoelasticity that allows its dough to be processed into many kinds of food. Gluten is known to be responsible for triggering celiac disease and wheat allergy. Wheat allergy is primarily an IgE-mediated response. Clinical manifestations of wheat allergy are similar to those of other food allergies, with symptoms on the skin, gut and respiratory tract. Recent studies have shown that IgE to gliadin can be an indicator for risk of severe immediate reaction-like anaphylaxis and wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). However, current in vitro test reagents for the diagnosis of wheat allergy mainly contain water-soluble wheat protein and a small amount of gluten, so there are some limitations to diagnose gluten allergy. Furthermore, there is no acceptable method to measure gluten in food products for preparing effective gluten-free diet. To overcome these limitations and to improve quality of life of wheat allergy sufferers, more work is needed. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy with gluten allergy who presented with urticaria after ingestion kneaded wheat flour with a brief review of the literature.

Enfermedad celíaca y su patogenia / An update on the pathogenesis of celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD), with a 1 percent worldwide prevalence, is an enteropathy caused by an autoimmune reaction to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, which codify for histocompatibility molecules HLA DQ-2/DQ-8. From the anatomical point of view, CD is characterized by intestinal villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, intraepithelial lymphocytosis (IELs) and leukocyte infiltration of the lamina propriety. Patients achieve a complete clinical and endoscopic remission with a gluten free diet. However, symptoms and anatomical alterations recur when this protein is reintroduced in the diet. The pathogenic mechanisms in this disease are not yet well understood, but it is clear that genetic, environmental and immunological factors play a role. The latter are the focus of this review, since this is the only autoimmune disease whose precipitating factor for immunological tissue damage is known.