Adult autoimmune enteropathy: Mayo Clinic Rochester experience.
OBJECTIVE
Autoimmune enteropathy is a rare cause of intractable diarrhea associated with circulating gut autoantibodies and a predisposition to autoimmunity. It is rarely observed in adults, with only 11 cases reported to date.


METHODS
Fifteen adults with autoimmune enteropathy were identified at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, from May 2001-June 2006. The demographic, clinical, and treatment data were abstracted from their records.


RESULTS
The study population was 87% white, 47% female, with median age of 55 years (interquartile range, 42-67 years). All patients had protracted diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition. Celiac disease was excluded by lack of response to gluten-free diet or absence of the celiac disease susceptibility HLA genotypes. Fourteen patients were tested for gut epithelial cell antibodies, and 93% were positive for anti-enterocyte and/or anti-goblet cell antibodies. Predisposition to autoimmune diseases was noted in 80%, as indicated by a variety of circulating autoantibodies. Small intestinal histopathologic findings included subtotal villous atrophy and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in the lamina propria with relatively few surface intraepithelial lymphocytes. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies were negative in all cases. Immunosuppressive therapy was required in 93% of cases. Clinical improvement was noted in 60% after 1-8 weeks of steroid therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Autoimmune enteropathy is a heterogeneous disease and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of malabsorption and small bowel villous atrophy. The presence of gut epithelial cell antibodies can help confirm the diagnosis. No single agent is unequivocally effective in inducing remission, and immunosuppressive therapy is required in most cases.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Salma
S
Akram
Joseph A
JA
Murray
Darrell S
DS
Pardi
Glenn L
GL
Alexander
John A
JA
Schaffner
Pierre A
PA
Russo
Susan C
SC
Abraham
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001284:Atrophy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001706:Biopsy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D020895:Enterocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015431:Weight Loss
D000906:Antibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents