Modern diagnosis of celiac disease and relevant differential diagnoses in the case of cereal intolerance

Concurrent cerebral arterial and venous sinus thrombosis revealing celiac disease- a case report and literature review

Background

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition characterized by an inappropriate immune reaction against gluten. It classically presents as chronic diarrhea, bloating, and nausea in addition to malabsorption symptoms such as weight loss and micronutrient deficiency. We report the first case of coinciding cerebral infarction and venous sinus thrombosis unveiling the diagnosis of celiac disease.

Case presentation

A 40-year old female patient with a four-day history of severe diarrhea presented with right hemiplegia and altered mental status. Imaging revealed left middle cerebral artery occlusion and left transverse and sigmoid venous sinus thrombosis, along with left jugular vein thrombosis. Her laboratory evaluation was notable for profound iron deficiency anemia, thrombocytosis, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Her positive anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies and ensuing duodenal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of celiac disease.

Conclusions

Celiac disease has a wide range of intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations and can present with thrombotic events in young patients with iron deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Pathogenesis of Celiac Disease and Other Gluten Related Disorders in Wheat and Strategies for Mitigating Them

Wheat is a major cereal crop providing energy and nutrients to the billions of people around the world. Gluten is a structural protein in wheat, that is necessary for its dough making properties, but it is responsible for imparting certain intolerances among some individuals, which are part of this review. Most important among these intolerances is celiac disease, that is gluten triggered T-cell mediated autoimmune enteropathy and results in villous atrophy, inflammation and damage to intestinal lining in genetically liable individuals containing human leukocyte antigen DQ2/DQ8 molecules on antigen presenting cells. Celiac disease occurs due to presence of celiac disease eliciting epitopes in gluten, particularly highly immunogenic alpha-gliadins. Another gluten related disorder is non-celiac gluten-sensitivity in which innate immune-response occurs in patients along with gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptoms, that disappear upon removal of gluten from the diet. In wheat allergy, either IgE or non-IgE mediated immune response occurs in individuals after inhalation or ingestion of wheat. Following a life-long gluten-free diet by celiac disease and non-celiac gluten-sensitivity patients is very challenging as none of wheat cultivar or related species stands safe for consumption. Hence, different molecular biology, genetic engineering, breeding, microbial, enzymatic, and chemical strategies have been worked upon to reduce the celiac disease epitopes and the gluten content in wheat. Currently, only 8.4% of total population is affected by wheat-related issues, while rest of population remains safe and should not remove wheat from the diet, based on false media coverage.

Serologic Diagnosis of Celiac Disease: New Biomarkers

Most patients affected by celiac disease (CD) are asymptomatic or hyposymptomatic and undiagnosed, and are at risk of preventable complications. Therefore, early diagnosis is highly recommended. Multiple diagnostic antibodies are available; the most frequently used is IgA to tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTg). It may yield false results and, alone, does not address IgA deficiency. Recently, a new generation of anti-neo-epitope tTg check (IgG + IgA) has become available. It is highly sensitive and specific, covers IgA-deficient patients with CD, reflects intestinal damage, and has predictive potential in the diagnosis of CD.

[Non-allergic gluten sensitivity. A controversial disease - or not yet sufficiently explored?]

The avoidance of wheat, gluten and other cereal products is a growing phenomenon in industrialized countries. The diagnostic criteria of celiac disease and of food allergy to wheat flour and/or other cereals are clearly defined. Only about 0.5-25 % of the population are affected from both of these immunological diseases.Nevertheless, there exists a significantly greater proportion of people reporting at least subjectively significant complaints and quality of life improvements after switching to a wheat- or gluten-free diet. Celiac disease or wheat allergy cannot be detected in these individuals on the basis of established criteria. The absence of clear diagnostic autoimmune or allergic criteria in these wheat sensitive patients has resulted in the description of non-celiac gluten sensitivity.It is clinically detectable in only very few individuals and may manifest with either intestinal, extra-intestinal or neurovegetative and psychosomatic symptoms, respectively. However, non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity has to be differentiated critically from irritable bowel syndrome, carbohydrate malassimilation, postinfectious conditions and psychosomatic diseases.Pathophysiologically, non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity is still poorly characterized; several non-immunological mechanisms are discussed to contribute to non-celiac gluten sensitivity. These include the effects of fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides, of trypsin inhibitors of amylase, and wheat lectin agglutinins, which may influence or modulate intestinal permeability and/or a non-specific immune or effector cell degranulation within the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, further metabolic effects with direct or indirect influence on the intestinal flora are currently discussed.In addition to subjectively reported changes in symptoms that may affect variably intestinal, as well as extra-intestinal and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms, some studies suggest that there is little reproducibility of complaints from gluten exposure. For a definitive diagnosis of non-celiac gluten sensitivity, structured (blinded) challenge tests with wheat or gluten are mandatory as well as re-challenge after a defined time of gluten avoidance to establish non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity as a persistent disease entity.