Antigliadin antibody screening for coeliac disease

Epilepsy and the immune system: is there a link?

The concept that the immune system plays a role in the epileptogenic process of some epileptic syndromes was first proposed more than 20 years ago. Since then, numerous studies have reported on the existence of a variety of immunological alterations in epileptic patients, on the observation of favourable responses of refractory epilepsy syndromes to immunomodulatory treatment, and on the association of certain well-known immune-mediated disease states with epilepsy. This review comprehensively recapitulates the currently available evidence supporting or arguing against the possible involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of certain types of epilepsy. It is concluded that an abundance of facts is in support of this concept and that further studies should be directed at substantiating the pathogenic significance of (auto)immune responses in certain types of epilepsy. Current progress in the functional and molecular immunological research techniques will indisputably contribute to the elucidation of this link.

The glycaemic index of a range of gluten-free foods

AIMS

The number of people with both diabetes and coeliac disease is increasing. This study examined the effect of gluten-free, as opposed to gluten-replete carbohydrate containing foods, on post-prandial blood glucose concentrations.

METHODS

The glycaemic index of six commonly used gluten-free carbohydrates are reported and compared with published figures for similar non-gluten-free products.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the glycaemic index of gluten-free and gluten containing foods are similar.

CONCLUSIONS

The inclusion of gluten-free foods in the diet of diabetic individuals with coeliac disease should not compromise glycaemic control.

Identifying immunoglobulin-A--deficient children and adults does not necessarily help the serologic diagnosis of coeliac disease

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin A deficiency is more common in patients with coeliac disease and also in patients with other gastrointestinal diseases than in normal people. There is a concern, therefore, that routine serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A testing of all cases of suspected coeliac disease may lead to unnecessary biopsy.

METHODS

Four hundred eighty-two routine consecutive samples from cases of suspected coeliac disease or malabsorption (109 children) were tested for IgA anti-endomysium and total IgA. Four hundred twenty-four sera samples also had IgG antigliadin checked for high-titre antibody. Archived adult sera from 31 patients with coeliac disease and 52 disease control subjects were included in the study.

RESULTS

Seven routine cases with serum IgA less than 15% of the mean normal for age and four cases with undetectable IgA were identified. Four patients, including three of four with clear deficiency, underwent small bowel biopsy, and all four had normal histologic findings and normal intraepithelial lymphocyte counts. Only one of the seven had high-titre IgG antigliadin antibody but that patient had normal histologic findings. One (3%) of 31 adults with established coeliac disease and 1 (2%) of 52 control subjects were IgA deficient.

CONCLUSIONS

Of patients with IgA deficiency, only those with both IgA deficiency and high-titre IgG antigliadin antibody should be routinely considered for biopsy.