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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2008; 14(8): 1156-1158
Published online Feb 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.1156
Adult autoimmune enteropathy
Hugh James Freeman
Hugh James Freeman, Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Correspondence to: Dr. Hugh James Freeman, MD, FRCPC, FACP, Department of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia, Hospital, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1W5, Canada. hugfree@shaw.ca
Telephone: +1-604-8227216
Fax: +1-604-8227236
Received: December 1, 2007
Revised: January 3, 2008
Published online: February 28, 2008
Abstract

Recent reports have suggested that autoimmune enteropathy involving the small bowel may occur in adults as well as in children. Apparently, the endoscopic and histological changes are similar to celiac disease before treatment, but these are not altered by any form of dietary restriction, including a gluten-free diet. As in celiac disease, histologic changes in gastric and colonic biopsies have also been recorded. Anti-enterocyte antibodies detected with immunofluorescent methods have been reported by a few laboratories, but these antibodies appear not to be specific and may simply represent epiphenomena. A widely available, reproducible and quantitative anti-enterocyte antibody assay is needed that could be applied in small bowel disorders that have the histological appearance of celiac disease, but fail to respond to a gluten-free diet.

Keywords: Celiac disease; Autoimmune enteropathy; Anti-enterocyte antibodies; Anti-goblet cell antibodies; Antibodies in celiac disease