Serum anti-gliadin antibody profile in childhood protracted diarrhoea due to coeliac disease and other causes in a developing country.

Serum anti-gliadin antibody (AGA) titres were estimated by diffusion in a gel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in children with coeliac disease (n = 11), protracted diarrhoea of non-coeliac causes (n = 110), acute gastroenteritis (n = 20), protein energy malnutrition (n = 20), and asymptomatic, well-nourished children (n = 66). The mean IgG and IgA AGA titres were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in children with coeliac disease than in any other groups. There was no significant difference (p greater than 0.01) in AGA titres in relation to age, nutritional status, or severity of villous injury. In patients with coeliac disease AGA titres showed a good correlation with disease activity. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay are discussed.