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Review

Recent developments in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease

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Pages 45-51 | Published online: 25 Feb 2005
 

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is a syndrome characterised by damage of the small intestinal mucosa, caused by the gliadin fraction of wheat gluten and similar alcohol-soluble proteins (prolamines) of barley and rye in genetically susceptible subjects. The clinical manifestations of CD are protean in nature and vary markedly with the age of the patient, the duration and extent of disease and the presence of extra-intestinal pathology. This article reviews three patents from the last four years which claim methods and tools for the diagnosis and treatment of CD. They are related to the antigenic role of tissue transglutaminase, the immunodominant gliadin peptide recognised by the cells in the peripheral blood of individuals with CD and the pro-inflammatory role of IL-15; however, only the first invention found application worldwide. In spite of this, the current gold standard for the diagnosis of CD is still the histological confirmation of the intestinal damage and the keystone treatment of CD patients is a life-long elimination diet, in which food products containing gluten are avoided.

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