IgA class anti-endomysial and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in relation to duodenal mucosa changes in coeliac disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to correlate the serological methods of coeliac disease diagnostic tests (IgA EmA and IgA anti-tTG) with the histological findings of the duodenal mucosa.


RESULTS
Forty-seven patients were studied and the data were analysed by the Pearson correlation. Seven patients (15%) with normal mucosa were negative for both assays. Forty untreated patients showed 89% agreement between the two serological methods, with all samples (40/40) positive to EmA and 80% (32/40) positive to anti-tTG. Eight positive samples to EmA, that were negative to anti-tTG, presented an increased number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes in the duodenal biopsy and clinical improvement with a gluten-free diet. Partial or total villous atrophy was detected with EmA titres equal to or higher than 1/10. The correlation coefficient between the two serological methods was R=0.797.


CONCLUSIONS
Both serological tests correlated very well with histological findings in negative patients and in those with high levels of antibodies. For patients with clinical evidence of CD but with low levels of antibodies, the combination of serological tests and intestinal biopsy is recommended.
Kotze
Lorete Maria da Silva
LM
Service of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Cajuru University Hospital, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. loretekotze@hotmail.com
Utiyama
Shirley Ramos da Rosa
SR
Nisihara
Renato Mitsunori
RM
de Camargo
Vanessa Ferreira
VF
Ioshii
Sergio Ossamu
SO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001706:Biopsy; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004386:Duodenum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011503:Transglutaminases