Novel diagnostic techniques for celiac disease

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of celiac disease has long been based on the demonstration of gluten-induced small-bowel mucosal damage. However, due to the constantly increasing disease prevalence and limitations in the histology-based criteria there is a pressure towards more serology-based diagnostics. The serological tools are being improved and new non-invasive methods are being developed, but the constantly refined endoscopic and histologic techniques may still prove helpful. Moreover, growing understanding of the disease pathogenesis has led researchers to suggest completely novel approaches to celiac disease diagnostics regardless of disease activity. In this review, we will elucidate the most recent development and possible future innovations in the diagnostic techniques for celiac disease.

KEYWORDS:

• Celiac disease
• Diagnostics
• Biopsy
• Antibodies
• Genetics
• Novel techniques

Financial and competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by funding from the Academy of Finland Research Council for Health, the Competitive State Research Financing of the Expert Responsibility Areas of Tampere University Hospital (Grants 9P060, 9R018, 9S020, 9R034, 9T018), the Mary and Georg Ehrnrooth Foundation, the Foundation for Pediatric Research, the Finnish Medical Foundation, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation and the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation. The funders had no role in the study design; the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; the writing of the report; and the decision to submit the paper for publication. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.