title: Serum IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies and small intestinal mucosal damage in children.
abstract: Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG gliadin antibodies were determined with a simple, rapid, and inexpensive method--diffusion-in-gel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DIG-ELISA)--and the results were related to small intestinal mucosal morphology in 234 children suspected of having malabsorption. Fifty-six of 58 children with flat intestinal mucosa had increased IgA and/or IgG gliadin antibody levels (sensitivity 97%). Fifty-four of the 58 children had celiac disease (CD) (n = 25) or probable CD (n = 29). Four children with flat mucosa had cow's milk protein and/or soy protein intolerance and three of these had increased gliadin antibody levels. Seventeen percent of 132 children with normal intestinal mucosa had increased IgA and/or IgG gliadin antibody levels. IgA and IgG gliadin antibody levels decreased significantly in the celiac children on a gluten-free diet and increased significantly after gluten challenge. Determination of serum IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies by means of DIG-ELISA is a sensitive test for small intestinal mucosal damage in children. When malabsorption is suspected, we suggest that this assay be used to select children for a small intestinal biopsy. It is also very useful for the follow-up of adherence to a gluten-free diet and to determine the effect of gluten challenge in celiac children.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology*; D005983:Glutens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010940:Plant Proteins; D005983:Glutens; D005903:Gliadin