Tissue transglutaminase and endomysial autoantibodies measured in an historical cohort of children and young adults in whom coeliac disease was suspected.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies are relevant important markers of coeliac disease in an historical group of patient sera.


METHODS
Sera from 196 children suspected to suffer from coeliac disease were analysed for these antibodies.


METHODS
A total of 233 serum samples were obtained simultaneously with a biopsy. Coeliac disease was confirmed in 37 (19%) patients. Antibodies against guinea pig transglutaminase were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); endomysial antibodies were determined by immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
In 17 samples, immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-transglutaminase levels were increased; 16 of these came from coeliac patients. High levels correlated with high prediagnostic or challenge-related gluten intake. The additional anti-transglutaminase-positive patient was assumed to suffer from sequelae to gastroenteritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Raised IgA anti-transglutaminase levels were correlated with presence of coeliac disease. Negative tests were seen in some coeliac patients when on a gluten-containing diet. The IgA anti-transglutaminase test using guinea pig antigen was less sensitive than anti-endomysial antibodies but rather specific for active coeliac disease. In our study, anti-endomysial antibodies were more specific than anti-transglutaminase antibodies for active coeliac disease.
Weile
Birgitte
B
Department of Autoimmunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. weile@dadlnet.dk
Heegaard
Niels H H
NH
Høier-Madsen
Mimi
M
Wiik
Allan
A
Krasilnikoff
Peter A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011503:Transglutaminases