The clinical and phenotypical assessment of seronegative villous atrophy; a prospective UK centre experience evaluating 200 adult cases over a 15-year period (2000-2015)

Use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy in cases of equivocal celiac disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Seronegative villous atrophy (SNVA), raised intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), and crypt hyperplasia on duodenal histology can be secondary to celiac disease (CD) or other causes such as medications or infections. Our aims were to assess the role of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in these patients and to ascertain whether findings on SBCE at diagnosis can predict disease outcome.

METHODS

Patients (n = 177) with SNVA, IELs, ± crypt hyperplasia on duodenal histology were studied. These patients all had an equivocal diagnosis of CD.

RESULTS

Overall, 56 patients (31.6%) had a positive SBCE. Thirty-three patients (58.9%) had disease affecting the proximal third of the small bowel (SB). The diagnostic yield of SBCE was 40.0% (22 patients), 51.4% (18 patients), 27.0% (10 patients), and 14.0% (7 patients) in patients with an unknown cause for SNVA (SNVA-UO), patients with SNVA who responded to a gluten-free diet (SNVA-CD), patients with a known cause for SNVA, and patients with railed IELs ± crypt hyperplasia, respectively. In SNVA-UO, SBCE at diagnosis was more likely to be positive in patients with persistent SNVA (10, 90.9%) and persistent SNVA with lymphoproliferative features (4, 80.4%) than patients with spontaneous resolution of SNVA (8, 20.5%) (P = .0001). All patients in the SNVA-CD group who eventually developed adverse events had a positive SBCE (P = .022). They also had more extensive SB disease than those without adverse events (50% vs 1% P = .002). More extensive SB disease on SBCE correlated with a higher SNVA-related mortality in patients with SNVA-UO and SNVA-CD (P = .019). Severity of histology did not correlate with mortality (P = .793).

CONCLUSIONS

A positive SBCE at diagnosis predicts a worse outcome. More importantly, more extensive disease in these patients is associated with poor survival. Targeting patients with extensive disease at diagnosis with more aggressive therapy can help to improve prognosis.

Refractory coeliac disease: what should we be doing different?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide insight into the diagnosis and management of patients with refractory coeliac disease (RCD) and highlight recent advances in this field.

RECENT FINDINGS

The diagnosis of RCD can be more accurately confirmed with flow cytometry in addition to immunohistochemistry. Dietary input and excretion of gluten immunogenic peptides can help rule out gluten contamination, and therefore, substantiate a diagnosis of RCD type I. Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is important at diagnosis and follow-up in addition to duodenal histology. Apart from ruling out complications, it can give information on extent of disease in the small bowel, and therefore, help assess response to therapy. Those patients with a poor response can have earlier intensification of therapy, which may result in an improved outcome. RCD also occurs in patients with serology negative coeliac disease but with an increased mortality compared with patients with serology-positive coeliac disease.

SUMMARY

Patients with RCD can present with persistent symptoms of malnutrition but can also be completely asymptomatic. Serology is not a reliable marker to detect refractory disease. Immunostaining and flow cytometry are necessary for a diagnosis of RCD. Small bowel endoscopy enables disease extent to be assessed and allows for small bowel biopsies to be taken in case of suspicious lesions. Small bowel radiology can be complementary to small bowel endoscopy.

Gamma delta+ intraepithelial lymphocytes and coeliac lymphogram in a diagnostic approach to coeliac disease in patients with seronegative villous atrophy

BACKGROUND

The causes of seronegative villous atrophy can be grouped as coeliac or noncoeliac related. There is no consensus on how to approach subjects with seronegative coeliac disease.

AIM

To evaluate the accuracy of both an increase in CD3⁺ T-cell receptor gamma delta⁺ (TCRγδ⁺ ) intraepithelial lymphocytes and coeliac lymphogram for the diagnosis of coeliac disease in patients with seronegative villous atrophy.

METHODS

Sixty-seven consecutive patients with seronegative villous atrophy were included. Duodenal biopsies to assess TCRγδ⁺ and CD3^- by flow cytometry were performed at the index endoscopy. Coeliac lymphogram was defined as an increase in TCRγδ⁺ plus a decrease in CD3^- intraepithelial lymphocytes. Sensitivity, specificity and Fagan's nomogram were calculated.

RESULTS

Coeliac disease was diagnosed in 37 patients and noncoeliac villous atrophy in 30. Coeliac patients were younger (39 ± 3 vs 55 ± 3 years; P = 0.001), more often showed HLA-DQ2/8 (97.6% vs 61%; P = 0.002) and had a more severe histology (61% vs 32% Marsh 3b-c; P = 0.055), as compared to noncoeliac ones. Coeliac lymphogram was associated with a sensitivity of 87% (CI, 73.7-95) and specificity of 96.7% (82.7-99.9), whereas evaluating only TCRγδ⁺ yielded a sensitivity of 91.3% (79.2-97.6) and specificity of 83.3% (65.3-94.3). Among patients with a pre-test coeliac disease probability of 30%, post-test probabilities were 92% and 5% for positive and negative coeliac lymphogram, and 70% and 4% for positive and negative TCRγδ⁺ .

CONCLUSIONS

Coeliac lymphogram was associated with a high level of diagnostic evidence either against or in favour of coeliac disease in patients with seronegative villous atrophy.

The Neuropathology of Gluten-Related Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review

Gluten-related neurological disorders (GRND) represent a spectrum of neurological manifestations that are triggered by gluten. In coeliac disease, a T-cell mediated enteropathy is triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The underlying pathological mechanism of the neurological dysfunction is not yet clear. The aim of this review is to collate existing neuropathological findings in GRND as a means of aiding the understanding of the pathophysiology. A systematic search of the Pubmed Database yielded 188 articles, of which 32 were included, containing 98 eligible cases with a description of pathological findings in GRND. In gluten ataxia, loss of Purkinje cells, atrophy, gliosis and astrocytosis were apparent, as well as diffuse lymphocytic infiltration and perivascular cuffing with lymphocytes. In patients with large-fiber neuropathy, nerve biopsies revealed axonopathy, loss of myelinated fibers and focal and perivascular infiltration by inflammatory cells. Inflammatory infiltrate was also observed in muscle in myopathy and in cerebrum of patients with encephalopathy and patients with epilepsy. Such changes were not seen in skin biopsies from patients with small fiber neuropathies. The findings from this systematic review suggest an immune mediated pathogenesis for GRND. Future research should focus on the characterization of the inflammatory cell infiltrates and identifying target epitopes.

Progress in the serology-based diagnosis and management of adult celiac disease

Introduction: This article provides a comprehensive overview of the development and application of serological tests used routinely in clinical practice for the diagnosis and management of adult celiac disease.Areas covered: We summarize existing scientific literature related to anti-endomyseal, anti-tissue transglutaminase, and anti-deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies and detail the current and potential future applications of these tests in celiac disease.Expert commentary: Current serological tests in celiac disease have some of the best performance characteristics among disease-specific tests. However, in adult celiac disease, current diagnostic algorithms still rely on duodenal biopsies to confirm the diagnosis. A 'biopsy avoidance strategy' has been implemented in pediatric celiac disease. Future high-quality studies will help inform on whether this approach can be implemented into adult gastroenterology services. It is envisaged that the next 5 years will see an increasing reliance on serology in the diagnosis of adult celiac disease.

Prevalence and diagnostic outcomes of children with duodenal lesions and negative celiac serology

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease diagnostics begin by measuring autoantibodies, which may fail to identify seronegative patients. Duodenal lesion in the absence of antibodies is scarcely studied, especially in children.

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence and diagnostic outcomes of children with seronegative duodenal lesion in two countries with different disease profiles.

METHODS

Medical data, including the results of histology and transglutaminase (tTGab) and endomysium (EmA) antibody measurements were collected from 1172 Finnish and 264 Romanian children with systematic duodenal sampling. Database of 509 Finnish children with celiac disease was examined to identify earlier seronegative patients.

RESULTS

Celiac disease was diagnosed in 307 Finnish and 83 Romanian children in the endoscopy cohorts. No seronegative patients were found among 899 celiac disease patients, although some were only tTGab or EmA positive. Non-celiac duodenal lesion was detected in eight Finnish and 32 Romanian children, their most common diagnoses being inflammatory bowel disease and infections, respectively. Six children with morphological lesion received no diagnosis. None of them developed celiac disease during a follow-up of 3-11 years.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric seronegative celiac disease is exceptional in the era of modern autoantibodies. Other reasons for duodenal lesion should therefore be sought, bearing in mind possible differences across countries.

A Comprehensive Review of Celiac Disease/Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathies

Celiac disease is a complex immune-mediated gluten-sensitive enteropathy with protean clinical manifestations. It is manifest in genetically predisposed individuals who ingest gluten in varying amounts. In broad terms, it is thought to affect 1% of the population in the USA. More specifically, the prevalence increases drastically from 1:133 in patients not-at-risk, to 1:56 in symptomatic patients, to 1:39 in patients with a second-degree relative with the diagnosis, and to 1:22 in patients with a first-degree relative with the diagnosis. It may be associated with several immune-mediated phenomena, autoimmune diseases, and complicated by vitamin and other trace element deficiencies, bone disease, and malignancy. Our understanding of celiac disease has evolved rapidly over the past two decades. This has led to several lines of enquiry on the condition and potential treatment options. More recently, several entities including gluten intolerance, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and seronegative celiac disease have been described. These conditions are distinct from allergies or intolerance to wheat or wheat products. There are challenges in defining some of these entities since a large number of patients self-report these conditions. The absence of confirmatory diagnostic tests poses an added dilemma in distinguishing these entities. The differences in spectrum of symptoms and highlights of the variability between the pediatric and adult populations have been studied in some detail. The role of screening for celiac disease is examined in both the general population and "at risk" populations. Diagnostic strategies including the best available serologic testing, utility of HLA haplotypes DQ2 and DQ8 which are seen in over 90% of patients with celiac disease as compared with approximately 40% of the general population, and endoscopic evaluation are also reviewed. Comprehensive nutritional management after diagnosis is key to sustained health in patients with celiac disease. Simple algorithms for care based on a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach are proposed. Refractory and non-responsive celiac diseases in the setting of a gluten-free diet are examined as are novel non-dietary therapies. Finally, the association of other disease states including psychiatric illness, infertility, lymphoproliferative malignancy, and mortality is explored with special attention paid to autoimmune and atopic disease.

Non-Responsive Coeliac Disease: A Comprehensive Review from the NHS England National Centre for Refractory Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease is a common small intestinal enteropathy which manifests following ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Since gluten was identified as the driving factor in coeliac disease, the gluten-free diet (GFD) has remained the mainstay of treatment. While most individuals will display improvement in symptoms and signs of coeliac disease following institution of the GFD, up to 30% will continue to experience symptoms and/or have persisting intestinal inflammation. These individuals can be classified as having non-responsive coeliac disease (NRCD), which may be associated with dietary indiscretion, slow healing, refractory coeliac disease, and/or an alternative condition. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the causes of NRCD in adults, highlight a systematic approach to investigate these patients, and appraise the latest management aspects of this subset of coeliac disease.

Statement on Best Practices in the Use of Pathology as a Diagnostic Tool for Celiac Disease: A Guide for Clinicians and Pathologists

Small intestinal biopsy interpretation has been the cornerstone for the diagnosis of celiac disease for over 50 years. Despite the existence of sensitive and specific serological tests, duodenal mucosal biopsies continue to be obtained in the vast majority of patients in whom a diagnosis of celiac disease is being considered. The accurate evaluation of these biopsies requires coordination and information sharing between the gastroenterologist, laboratory, and pathologist in order to optimize tissue sampling, preparation and interpretation. This document, a collaboration between the Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society and the North American Association for the Study of Celiac Disease, is intended to provide clinicians and pathologists with a summary of best practices in the use of endoscopy and biopsy for patients with suspected celiac disease. The authors present a comprehensive and critical appraisal of the literature with respect to the topics of endoscopic findings, best methods for the obtaining biopsies, completing the pathology form and pathologic assessment, including evaluating intraepithelial lymphocytes and villous architecture. A discussion of conditions with overlapping pathologic findings in duodenal mucosal biopsies is presented. In order to provide additional guidance for challenging situations, the authors include an appendix containing practical suggestions. This review may be utilized in interdisciplinary discussions to optimize care for patients with possible celiac disease.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Accuracy of Both Gamma Delta+ Intraepithelial Lymphocytes and Coeliac Lymphogram Evaluated by Flow Cytometry for Coeliac Disease Diagnosis

It has been suggested that in doubtful cases of coeliac disease, a high CD3+ T-cell receptor gamma delta+ (TCRγδ+) intraepithelial lymphocyte count increases the likelihood of coeliac disease.

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of both an isolated increase of TCRγδ+ cells and a coeliac lymphogram (increase of TCRγδ+ plus decrease of CD3- intraepithelial lymphocytes) evaluated by flow cytometry in the diagnosis of coeliac disease.

METHODS

The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE. The inclusion criteria were: an article that allows for the construction of a 2 × 2 table of true and false positive and true and false negative values. A diagnostic accuracy test meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The search provided 49 relevant citations, of which 6 were selected for the analysis, which represented 519 patients and 440 controls. Coeliac lymphogram: The pooled S and Sp were 93% and 98%, without heterogeneity. The area under the SROC curve (AUC) was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99). TCRγδ+: Pooled S and Sp were both 95%, with significant heterogeneity. The AUC was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98). Conclusions: Both TCRγδ+ count and coeliac lymphogram assessed by flow cytometry in duodenal mucosal samples are associated with a high level of diagnostic accuracy for and against coeliac disease.

Gluten and FODMAPS-Sense of a Restriction/When Is Restriction Necessary?

Gluten-free diet (GFD) is enjoying increasingly popularity, although gluten-free products are considerably more expensive. GFD is absolutely necessary for patients with celiac disease, as in this case even minor amounts of gluten can lead to the destruction of the intestinal mucosa. In addition, GFD is currently the best therapy to improve clinical symptoms of patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), although the diet may not be as strict as that for patients with celiac disease. Beside gluten, other wheat components such as oligosaccharides and amylase trypsin inhibitors are discussed as triggers of NCGS in this review. An overlap between gastrointestinal symptoms in NCGS and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is described. Patients with NCGS attribute their symptoms to the consumption of gluten, while patients with IBS rarely describe gluten as a trigger. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that the introduction of a low FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet reduced gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS and this diet is suggested as the first choice of therapy in IBS. However, a low FODMAP diet also eliminates prebiotica and may negatively influence the gut microbiota. For this reason, the diet should be liberalized after symptom improvement. There is no evidence that a GFD is healthier than the standard diet. In contrast, GFD often is accompanied by nutritional deficiencies, mainly minerals and vitamins. Therefore, GFD and low FODMAP diets are not recommended for healthy subjects. Since wheat contains fructans belonging to FODMAPs), a GFD is not only gluten-free but also has less FODMAPs. Thus, symptom improvement cannot be correctly correlated with the reduction of either one or the other.

How to manage adult coeliac disease: perspective from the NHS England Rare Diseases Collaborative Network for Non-Responsive and Refractory Coeliac Disease

Adult coeliac disease (CD) affects approximately 1% of the population. Most patients diagnosed will respond to a gluten-free diet; however, up to 30% may have persisting symptoms. Such patients may have ongoing issues associated with adherence, non-responsive CD or refractory CD. This article provides a clinical overview of how to manage this group of patients with persisting symptoms, including an investigational algorithm and details of how to contact the National Health Service England Rare Diseases Collaborative Network for Non-Responsive and Refractory Coeliac Disease. We hope this will be a valuable source of contemporary information for all UK gastroenterologists and internationally.

Celiac disease: a comprehensive current review

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease remains a challenging condition because of a steady increase in knowledge tackling its pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and possible therapeutic options.

MAIN BODY

A major milestone in the history of celiac disease was the identification of tissue transglutaminase as the autoantigen, thereby confirming the autoimmune nature of this disorder. A genetic background (HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positivity and non-HLA genes) is a mandatory determinant of the development of the disease, which occurs with the contribution of environmental factors (e.g., viral infections and dysbiosis of gut microbiota). Its prevalence in the general population is of approximately 1%, with female predominance. The disease can occur at any age, with a variety of symptoms/manifestations. This multifaceted clinical presentation leads to several phenotypes, i.e., gastrointestinal, extraintestinal, subclinical, potential, seronegative, non-responsive, and refractory. Although small intestinal biopsy remains the diagnostic 'gold standard', highly sensitive and specific serological tests, such as tissue transglutaminase, endomysial and deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies, have become gradually more important in the diagnostic work-up of celiac disease. Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is a life-long, strict gluten-free diet leading to improvement in quality of life, ameliorating symptoms, and preventing the occurrence of refractory celiac disease, ulcerative jejunoileitis, and small intestinal adenocarcinoma and lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The present review is timely and provides a thorough appraisal of various aspects characterizing celiac disease. Remaining challenges include obtaining a better understanding of still-unclear phenotypes such as slow-responsive, potential (minimal lesions) and seronegative celiac disease. The identification of alternative or complementary treatments to the gluten-free diet brings hope for patients unavoidably burdened by diet restrictions.

Evolving patterns in the presentation of coeliac disease over the last 25 years

OBJECTIVE

To document changes in the clinical features of coeliac disease (CD) at presentation over the last 25 years.

DESIGN

Observational study.

PATIENTS

802 subjects diagnosed between 1993 and 2017 at a single general hospital.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Date of diagnosis, age, sex, postcode, symptoms, haematinic deficiency, smoking status, serology, family history and autoimmune phenomena.

RESULTS

The incidence of diagnosed CD rose threefold during the course of the study, with a rising prevalence of positive coeliac serology and positive family history of CD, and a falling prevalence of symptoms and haematinic deficiencies. There was little change in the female predominance, age at diagnosis or high prevalence of other autoimmune conditions over the 25 years, and a paucity throughout of cigarette smokers, particularly heavy smokers. A cohort of patients with seronegative CD was identified who shared many of the characteristics of seropositive CD, but with a significantly older age at diagnosis and a higher prevalence of cigarette smokers.

CONCLUSION

There have been major changes in the epidemiology of CD over the last 25 years, of relevance to both our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of CD and the requirement for service provision. The implications are discussed.

Genetic and flow cytometry analysis of seronegative celiac disease: a cohort study

Background: Seronegative celiac disease (CD) poses a diagnostic challenge. Aims: Characterize and identify differences between seronegative and seropositive CD. Patients and methods: Retrospective cohort study examining adult patients diagnosed with CD (1980-2017). Clinical, analytical, histological, genetic and immunophenotypic data were compiled. Seronegative CD was defined as a anti-tissue transglutaminase type 2 IgA and endomysial antibodies (EMA) negative and HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 positive, showing clinical signs of CD plus an abnormal duodenal biopsy, and responding to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Factors associated with seronegative CD were identified through binomial logistic regression. Results: Of 315 CD patients, 289 were seropositive (91.7%) and 26 seronegative (8.3%). Among the seronegative patients, higher prevalence was observed for autoimmune thyroiditis (26.9% vs. 9.7%, p = .016), HLA-DQ8 heterozygosity (23.1% vs. 2.5%, p ˂ .001) and Marsh I lesion (34.6% vs. 3.7%, p ˂ .001). The two groups showed similar flow cytometry-determined duodenal immunophenotypes and rates of refractory CD. Conclusions: Seronegative CD differs mostly in genetic (more HLA-DQ8) and histologic (milder atrophy) features as compared with seropositive. Intestinal intraepithelial immunophenotype by flow cytometry, similar in both modalities, is a useful tool to diagnose seronegative CD.

Overview in the clinical management of patients with seronegative villous atrophy

Differential diagnosis and management of enteropathies found in the context of seronegative villous atrophy (VA) are still a clinical challenge. Although seronegative coeliac disease may be the most frequent cause of serology-negative VA, other conditions must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of seronegative VA. The rarity of these enteropathies with frequent overlapping of histological features may result in misclassification of such patients as affected by a seronegative or a refractory form of coeliac disease with consequent inappropriate treatments and long-term morbidity. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge and to provide an evidence base and practical algorithmic approach for the investigation and management of seronegative VA.

Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy against dietary gluten present in wheat, rye and barley and is one of the most common lifelong food-related disorders worldwide. Coeliac disease is also considered to be a systemic disorder characterized by a variable combination of gluten-related signs and symptoms and disease-specific antibodies in addition to enteropathy. The ingestion of gluten leads to the generation of harmful gluten peptides, which, in predisposed individuals, can induce adaptive and innate immune responses. The clinical presentation is extremely variable; patients may have severe gastrointestinal symptoms and malabsorption, extraintestinal symptoms or have no symptoms at all. Owing to the multifaceted clinical presentation, diagnosis remains a challenge and coeliac disease is heavily underdiagnosed. The diagnosis of coeliac disease is achieved by combining coeliac disease serology and small intestinal mucosal histology during a gluten-containing diet. Currently, the only effective treatment for coeliac disease is a lifelong strict gluten-free diet; however, the diet is restrictive and gluten is difficult to avoid. Optimizing diagnosis and care in coeliac disease requires continuous research and education of both patients and health-care professionals.

Descriptive Study of the Different Tools Used to Evaluate the Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet in Celiac Disease Patients

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetically conditioned autoimmune process that appears in susceptible people. It can affect people of any age, and slightly predominates in females. It has a fairly homogenous global distribution, with an average prevalence of 1⁻2%, the frequency having increased in recent decades. The only effective treatment is a strict and permanent gluten-free diet (GFD), although the level of compliance is poor, at about 50% of cases. To monitor the effectiveness of the GFD, several procedures involving various approaches are employed: (a) Periodic visits by expert Nutritionists; (b) Clinical follow-up; (c) Serological time controls of specific antibodies; (d) Serial endoscopies with collection of duodenal biopsies; (e) Use of structured questionnaires; and (f) Determination of gluten peptides derived from gluten in faeces and/or urine. All of these procedures are useful when applied, alone or in combination, depending on the cases. Some patients will only need to consult to their doctors, while others will require a multidisciplinary approach to assess their compliance with the GFD. In children, normalization of duodenal mucosa was achieved in 95% of cases within two years, while it is more delayed in adults, whose mucosa take longer time (3⁻5 years) to heal completely.

Improving basic skills in celiac-like disease diagnosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of Coeliac disease (CD) requires a combination of sign/symptoms, positivity of specific antibodies and duodenal histological evidence of villous atrophy. Duodenal villous atrophy, despite representing the CD landmark, is not specific since it is found in many gastrointestinal disorders. Giardiasis is one of the most common human intestinal protozoan infestations in industrialized countries whose histological duodenal mucosa damage could mimic that of CD. The present report shows how a wise clinical and laboratory assessment led us shortly to a correct diagnosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 42-year-old outpatient woman without previous significant gastrointestinal diseases, was referred with dyspeptic symptoms, fatigue and mild diarrhea from 4 months. Her first investigations including immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) and stool parasitological and cultural analysis were negative. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) showed no mucosal alteration. But histology demonstrated a Helicobacter Pylori (HP) pan-gastritis while duodenal mucosa showed villous atrophy consistent with a diagnosis of CD Marsh type 3b. While on gluten-free diet (GFD) the patient didn't experience any improvement of symptoms. Duodenal biopsies were then reviewed showing the presence of trophozoites of Giardia on the luminal surface of the duodenal wall and at the same time, a second stool examination revealed the presence of trophozoites and cysts of Giardia. Treated with metronidazole, 500 mg twice daily for 6 days the patient reduced diarrhea after few days. After about 2 months of GFD she was invited to discontinue it. At the same time stool examination was repeated with negative results. She subsequently performed eradication for Hp with triple therapy (Pylera®). Around 6 months later, the patient did not complain any gastrointestinal symptoms. Serological tests were normal and at a follow-up EGDS, duodenal mucosa had normal histology with normal finger-like villi and absence of Giardia trophozoites.

CONCLUSION

This case report shows how CD diagnosis can sometimes be manifold. Intestinal villous atrophy alone may not automatically establish a diagnosis of CD. In the present case the clinical scenario could be fully explained by giardiasis. Indeed, different diagnostic tools and a multi-step approaches have been used to determine the final correct diagnosis.

A comprehensive review on the utility of capsule endoscopy in coeliac disease: From computational analysis to the bedside

Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) can identify macroscopic changes of coeliac disease and assess the extent of disease in the small bowel beyond the duodenum. SBCE has a good sensitivity for the detection of coeliac disease in comparison to histology owing to several ideal features such as a high magnification. It also plays a useful role in detecting complications in patients with refractory coeliac disease. Several studies have been carried out on transforming images obtained from small bowel capsule endoscopy to enable the automated detection of features related to coeliac disease. This review discusses the current roles played by small bowel capsule endoscopy in coeliac disease. It identifies future potential roles of this technique and describes in great detail the role of computational analysis in the detection of coeliac disease and how it can be adapted to current available technology.

Capsule endoscopy for patients with coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune mediated condition in response to gluten. A combination of innate and adaptive immune responses results in villous shortening in the small bowel (SB) that can be morphologically picked up on capsule endoscopy. It is the only imaging modality that can provide mucosal views of the entire SB, while histology is generally limited to the proximal SB. Radiological modalities are not designed to pick up changes in villous morphology. Areas covered: In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis on the justified use of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in the assessment of patients with coeliac disease; compare SBCE to histology, serology, and symptomatology; and provide an overview on automated quantitative analysis for the detection of coeliac disease. We also provide insight into future work on SBCE in relation to coeliac disease. Expert commentary: SBCE has opened up new avenues for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with coeliac disease. However, larger studies with new and established coeliac disease patients and with greater emphasis on morphological features on SBCE are required to better define the role of SBCE in the setting of coeliac disease.

Features of Adult Autoimmune Enteropathy Compared With Refractory Celiac Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Little is known about the features of immune-mediated non-celiac villous atrophies, such as autoimmune enteropathy (AIE). We investigated the demographic, clinical, and histologic features of adults with AIE compared to adults with refractory celiac disease type 1. We also report outcomes of treatment with open-label budesonide.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective case-control of patients with AIE (n = 30) seen at the Mayo Clinic (in Rochester, Minnesota) from 2000 through 2015. Patients with refractory celiac disease type 1 who were treated with open-label budesonide served as controls (n = 42). Biopsy specimens were reviewed for all patients. We collected demographic, clinical, biochemical and histologic data from patients. We also collected data on responses to open-capsule budesonide from patients with AIE (available from 22 patients) and controls (available from 42 patients); the median duration of follow up was 28 months (range, 0-1421 months).

RESULTS

Patients with AIE had a higher proportion of men (60%) and were younger (mean, 44 ± 18 years) than patients with refractory celiac disease type 1 (29% men; P = .002 and mean age, 57 ± 16 years; P = .007). A higher proportion of patients with AIE presented with chronic diarrhea (100%) and weight loss (90%) than patients with refractory celiac disease type 1 (71%; P < .001 and 71%; P = .05, respectively). Based on histologic analysis, there was no significant difference in degree of villous atrophy in intestinal tissues from patients with AIE vs controls (P = .68). However, a greater proportion of patients with RCD had increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (>40 per 100 epithelial cells in 100%) compared with patients with AIE (in 50%) (P = .003). Conventional therapy (systemic steroids) had failed in most patients with AIE (a complete clinical response was reported in only 7 patients) before treatment with open-capsule budesonide was initiated. A clinical response to open-capsule budesonide was reported for 85% of patients with AIE (50% complete response, 35% partial response) compared to 92% of controls (68% complete response, 24% partial response).

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective study of 30 patients with AIE, followed for a median 28 months, we found this disease to have has distinct demographic, clinical, and histologic characteristics compared to refractory celiac disease type 1. Most patients with AIE (85%) have a clinical response to budesonide, all of whom were unsuccessfully treated with conventional therapies.

Seronegative enteropathy and malnutrition: a diagnostic challenge

A 21-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of vomiting, diarrhoea and epigastric pain, with 9 kg weight loss over the last two months. Laboratory tests were normal with negative coeliac serology. Duodenal biopsies revealed total villous atrophy, crypt hypertrophy and intraepithelial lymphocytosis. A diagnosis of seronegative coeliac disease was made, and she started a gluten-free diet. However, she did not respond and her weight fell to 30.6 kg (body mass index 11), becoming dependent on parenteral nutrition. Her diagnosis was reconsidered and the histology reviewed. The histopathological features were of severe active chronic duodenitis. By diagnosis of exclusion, with the absence of other clear pathology, she was treated as Crohn's disease. She responded to third-line therapy with biologics. In this case, the patient had refractory villous atrophy and the mucosal features, in addition to response with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy, suggest inflammatory bowel disease, although not with complete diagnostic certainty.

Seronegative coeliac disease: clearing the diagnostic dilemma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Seronegative coeliac disease is a poorly defined form of coeliac disease that poses an important challenge to clinicians particularly with regards to the differential diagnosis. This is probably because of lack of a consensus on its definition and incorrect use of specific coeliac serology. Seronegative coeliac disease (SCD) is uncommon and epidemiological data are scarce and contrasting. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a critical summary of the most recent work on this topic and a definition of SCD.

RECENT FINDINGS

SCD is rare among coeliac patients but conversely SCD remains one of the most common causes of seronegative villous atrophy. The diagnostic workup of seronegative villous atrophy (SNVA) must ensure exclusion of other enteropathies before starting patients on a lifelong gluten-free diet. This is crucial in order to ensure that patients are not given the wrong diagnosis, which in turn can have implications for their inappropriate treatment and long-term morbidity. Finally, there is some data to suggest that seronegative enteropathies have a higher mortality than conventional coeliac disease.

SUMMARY

Seronegative coeliac disease is a rare condition that accounts for a very small percentage of cases in the large population of coeliac patients. Strict criteria for the diagnosis of this condition need to be fulfilled and prompt identification of these patients is crucial in order to ensure the appropriate intervention on a case-by-case basis.

Not All That Flattens Villi Is Celiac Disease: A Review of Enteropathies

Enteropathies can be overwhelming for clinicians. There is a wide spectrum of diseases involved; their effect on patients can be severe; and their underlying cause can be obscure. In this article, we outline a practical approach to enteropathies that are most common and not to be missed and is applicable to general and specialist physicians.