Acid mucins in duodeno-jejunal biopsies from infants with coeliac disease.

Using histochemical methods for mucins, we have studied duodeno-jejunal biopsies obtained from infants with proved coeliac disease (19 subjects with subtotal villous atrophy and 11 subjects with partial villous atrophy) and from controls with histologically normal mucosa. In coeliac disease, but not in controls, an increase of both weakly and strongly acidic sulphomucins is observed. These histochemical findings are discussed in relation to their significance and their possible diagnostic value in confirming the diagnosis of coeliac disease before treatment, during remission and after gluten challenge.