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Distal Duodenum Versus Duodenal Bulb: Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Have Something to Say in Celiac Disease Diagnosis

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Abstract

Background and Aim

After clinical screening and the serological test, many patients still require a duodenal biopsy for celiac disease diagnosis. Mild histological lesions, unspecific findings and patchiness are frequent outcomes of this mandatory diagnostic tool, thus complicating clinical decisions.

Methods

We analyzed the lymphoid components [number of total intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), TcR-γδ and CD3−IELs] of the duodenal epithelium by flow cytometry in samples obtained from bulb and distal duodenum during upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed for diagnostic purposes.

Results

IEL counts and IEL subset distribution (IEL lymphogram) remain invariant along duodenal mucosa revealing a specific profile (immunophenotype) that characterizes either a healthy mucosa or a celiac mucosa. The celiac immunophenotype persists regardless of the biopsy’s anatomical location or the corresponding histological findings.

Conclusions

We propose the IEL lymphogram by flow cytometry as an immunological parameter to discern celiac condition from healthy mucosa. This obviates not only misinterpretation of minor histological changes, but also patchiness and the concerns about the location and number of biopsies.

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Abbreviations

CD:

Celiac disease

EMA:

Endomysial antibodies

GFD:

Gluten-free diet

tTG:

IgA anti-transglutaminase-2 auto-antibodies

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grant MEC I+D SAF2006-01403 from the Spanish Ministry for Education and Science.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal de Madrid, Carretera de Colmenar km 9100, 28034, Madrid, Spain

    Ana De Andrés & Garbiñe Roy

  2. Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain

    Cristina Camarero

Authors
  1. Ana De Andrés
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  2. Cristina Camarero
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  3. Garbiñe Roy
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Correspondence to Ana De Andrés.

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De Andrés, A., Camarero, C. & Roy, G. Distal Duodenum Versus Duodenal Bulb: Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Have Something to Say in Celiac Disease Diagnosis. Dig Dis Sci 60, 1004–1009 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-014-3414-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-014-3414-x

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