TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE ANTIBODIES IN COELIAC DISEASE - OUR OWN OBSERVATIONS

Szaflarska-Szczepanik A.¹, Odrowąż-Sypniewska G.², Czerwionka-Szaflarska M.¹, Dymek M.²

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Allergology and Gastroenterology

² Department of Clinical Chemistry

University School of Medical Sciences, Bydgoszcz, Poland

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of IgA antiendomysium antibodies (IgAEmA) and IgA tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgAtTG) in detecting and follow-up of coeliac disease.

Material and method: We examined serum samples from 80 children (37 F, 43 M, mean age 7.18 year) suspected of coeliac disease (group I) and 59 coeliac patients (39 F, 20 M, mean age 14.1 years) who had not adhered to a gluten-free diet (group II). Serum samples were examined for total IgA level, IgAEmA by indirect immunofluorescence and IgAtTG level by ELISA (Analco or Pharmacia-Upjohn).

Results: In 123 patients (88.5%) results of IgAtTG-ELISA test were compatible with IgAEmA test, more often in group I (96.3%) than in group II (78%). If we consider equivocal results of IgAtTG test to be negative IgAEmA and IgAtTG tests will be compatible in group I in 98.8% and in group II in 88.1%.

	Group I N=80	Group II N=59
IgAEmA (+)IgAtTG (+)	8 (10%)	18 (30.5%)
IgAEmA (-) IgAtTG (-)	69 (86.3%)	28 (47.5%)
IgAEmA(+)IgAtTG(-)or(+/-)	0 (0%)	5 (8.5%)
IgAEmA(-)IgAtTG(+)or(+/-)	3 (3.7%)	8 (13.5%)

Conclusions: IgAtTG-ELISA provides a sensitive and specific screening test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease. It seems, that IgAtTG-ELISA is not enough sensitive for follow-up of coeliac disease.

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