[Adult celiac disease and intraepithelial lymphocytes. New options for diagnosis?].
BACKGROUND
Permanent changes have been found in intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) subsets in patients with celiac disease.


OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of determining CD3()/CD7(+) and T cell receptor (TCR) gamma-delta IEL subsets by flow cytometry as a diagnostic marker of adult celiac disease.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study in a sample of 128 adult patients (70 with celiac disease and 58 controls). In all patients, distal duodenal biopsy was performed and IEL subsets were determined by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Patients with celiac disease showed an increase in gamma-delta IEL subsets and a decrease in CD3(-)/CD7(+) IEL subsets in comparison with the control group, independently of diet.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that IEL subset determination by flow cytometry could be useful to confirm diagnosis of celiac disease. IEL subsets should be investigated in diseases other than celiac disease, as well as in patients with potential or latent celiac disease.
Olivencia Palomar
Pilar
P
Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España. pilarolivencia@yahoo.es
Cano Ruiz
Ana
A
Martín Scapa
M Angeles
MA
León Prieto
Francisco
F
Roy Ariño
Garbiñe
G
Redondo Verge
Clara
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019011:Antigens, CD7 / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004386:Duodenum / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D019011:Antigens, CD7; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta