A dot immunobinding assay to detect anti-alpha-gliadin antibodies in celiac disease

A new, rapid, noninvasive screening test for celiac disease

Serum levels of IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies were evaluated in 267 subjects by using both the classic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a rapid test (strip-AGA test) performed on a drop of whole blood. This new test was easy to perform and gave results comparable to those of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; it could be useful in screening for celiac disease in both at-risk and normal populations.

Anti-alpha-gliadin antibodies are not predictive of celiac disease in juvenile chronic arthritis

Some authors have recently reported an increased level of antigluten antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis, both in the adult and juvenile form. The real meaning of these antibodies is still unclear. We ascertained the levels of antigluten antibodies in a group of children with juvenile chronic arthritis to determine if these antibodies were linked with celiac disease and/or to increased intestinal permeability. In 18 of 53 patients (33.9%), the levels of antigluten antibodies (IgA or IgG) were higher than normal. No correlation was found between the increase in antigluten antibodies and the positive lactulose/mannitol test, used for determining increased intestinal permeability. In all eight patients undergoing intestinal biopsy due to abnormal levels of antigluten antibodies (IgA class), intestinal mucosa was normal. In conclusion, our study shows that in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis, immunological response to gluten is neither related to celiac disease nor to increased intestinal permeability.