Anti-gliadin and anti-endomysium antibodies in children with celiac disease consuming a gluten free diet.

A group of 26 children (13 boys and 13 girls; average age 12.2 years) with CD who had been on a gluten free diet for 5-15 years was examined in order to find out how effectively they could manage their diet. The diagnosis of CD was established on the basis of ESPGAN criteria (1969). 5-15 years ago. Antigliadin antibodies, IgG-, and IgA-AGA (by fluorescence enzyme immunoassay), Gliastick by ELISA technique, and Anti-endomysium antibodies (by indirect immunofluorescence on sections of monkey esophagus) were examined in the serum. Only 5 patients had no antigliadin or anti-endomysium antibodies. In 21 cases the IgG-AGA showed positive results; the IgA-AGA was positive in 6, the Gliastick in 19, and the anti-endomysium antibodies in 8 cases. The main cause of the mismanagement of the diet was inadequate food labeling; so it seems to be important to also establish a Food Intolerance Data Bank in Hungary. The 5 sero-negative children volunteered for a gluten challenge; 3 of them became positive in a few weeks or months. Two patients remained negative even after 1 year. Their gluten sensitivity may not prove to be permanent.