IgA class reticulin antibodies in relatives of patients with coeliac disease

Gut. 1977 Aug;18(8):647-50. doi: 10.1136/gut.18.8.647.

Abstract

IgA class reticulin antibodies were not found in patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and hiatus hernia despite a significant incidence of IgG class reticulin antibodies. None of 56 normal healthy subjects was positive. In contrast, 13 (76%) of the sera from 17 patients with coeliac disease on normal diet were positive for IgA class antibodies as were 19 (20%) of 93 first degree relatives. Seventy-three relatives underwent jejunal biopsy. Grade III (flat) histology was found in 13 and, of these patients, 10 (77%) showed IgA class reticulin antibody in their serum. It is suggested that determination of IgA class reticulin antibodies was a useful test to determine which relative must be biopsied.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biopsy
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease / genetics
  • Celiac Disease / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis*
  • Jejunum / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rats
  • Reticulin / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Reticulin