Gamma-Delta T Lymphocytes in the Diagnostic Approach of Coeliac Disease.

GOALS: To validate cut-off values of CD3 T-cell receptor gamma-delta chain (TCRγδ) intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) in the (differential) diagnosis of celiac disease (CD).

BACKGROUND

CD is characterized by an increase in gamma-delta IEL (CD3TCRγδ IEL).

STUDY: Percentages were determined by flow cytometric analysis of IELs from small bowel biopsies in 213 CD and 13 potential CD (PCD) patients and in total 112 controls. A cut-off value for percentages of CD3TCRγδ IEL to differentiate active CD and controls was obtained from a receiver operating characteristic curve and implemented in controls and PCD patients.

RESULTS

Percentage of CD3TCRγδ IEL was significantly increased in the majority of CD patients, irrespective of the presence of villous atrophy. A cut-off value of 14% for CD3TCRγδ IEL resulted in 66.3% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity for CD diagnosis (area under the curve, 88.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

A percentage of ≥14% CD3TCRγδ IEL has a high specificity for CD diagnosis and can be of diagnostic help in cases where diagnosis is not straightforward.