Silvia Ferreira1, Maria Elena Chamorro2, Jesús Ortíz3, Maria Mercedes Carpinelli1, Vivian Giménez1, Patricia Langjahr1. 1. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. 2. Fundación Paraguaya de Celíacos. Asunción, Paraguay. 3. Departamento de Gastroenterología y Endoscopía, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción. San Lorenzo, Paraguay.
Abstract
IgA anti-transglutaminase 2 (tTG2) antibody is a relevant marker in celiac disease. The utility of IgA anti-tTG2 determination is well established for the diagnosis, however their use in the follow-up of patients with gluten free diet (GFD) it is not fully established. OBJECTIVE: To determine IgA anti-tTG2 antibody levels in adult Paraguayan celiac disease patients and its relation to the presence and duration of the GFD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult celiac disease patients without (n=23) or with (n=49) GFD were included in this observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with analytical component. IgA anti-tTG2 antibody serum levels were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: All (100%) celiac disease patients without GFD had positive anti-tTG2 IgA. Serum levels of IgA anti-tTG2 were significantly elevated in celiac disease patients without GFD compared to levels in patients with GFD. 35% of patients treated with GFD (diet average duration = 5.7 years) had positive (29%) or indeterminate (6%) levels of IgA anti-tTG2. In terms of GFD duration we observed that while the GFD period increased, antibody levels decreased (r=- 0.2963; p=0.0387). CONCLUSION: IgA anti-tTG2 antibody levels correlated inversely with the GFD duration. However, positive levels of these antibodies persisted in some patients, even several years after the onset of GFD.
IgA anti-transglutaminase 2 (tTG2) antibody is a relevant marker in celiac disease. The utility of IgA anti-tTG2 determination is well established for the diagnosis, however their use in the follow-up of patients with gluten free diet (GFD) it is not fully established. OBJECTIVE: To determine IgA anti-tTG2 antibody levels in adult Paraguayan celiac disease patients and its relation to the presence and duration of the GFD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult celiac disease patients without (n=23) or with (n=49) GFD were included in this observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with analytical component. IgA anti-tTG2 antibody serum levels were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: All (100%) celiac disease patients without GFD had positive anti-tTG2 IgA. Serum levels of IgA anti-tTG2 were significantly elevated in celiac disease patients without GFD compared to levels in patients with GFD. 35% of patients treated with GFD (diet average duration = 5.7 years) had positive (29%) or indeterminate (6%) levels of IgA anti-tTG2. In terms of GFD duration we observed that while the GFD period increased, antibody levels decreased (r=- 0.2963; p=0.0387). CONCLUSION: IgA anti-tTG2 antibody levels correlated inversely with the GFD duration. However, positive levels of these antibodies persisted in some patients, even several years after the onset of GFD.