Salivary IgA antigliadin antibody as a marker for coeliac disease

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 67; no. 6; pp. 724 - 727
• Main Authors: Hakeem, V, Fifield, R, al-Bayaty, H F, Aldred, M J, Walker, D M, Williams, J, Jenkins, H R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.06.1992; BMJ
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Celiac Disease - blood; Celiac Disease - immunology; Child; Child, Preschool; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Gliadin - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin A - analysis; Infant; Medical sciences; Prospective Studies; Saliva - immunology; Human; Immunopathology; IgA; Antibody; Biological marker; Coeliac disease; Immunological investigation; Intestinal malabsorption; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Diagnosis; Child; Saliva
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.67.6.724

In recent years, serum antibodies to gliadin (AGA) have been reported to be useful markers of coeliac disease. IgA AGA have also been found in intestinal secretions and saliva in coeliac disease and may offer a convenient, non-invasive screening test. In order to test this hypothesis, salivary and serum AGA were measured in children with coeliac disease proved by biopsy and compared with several control groups. Measurement of salivary IgA AGA provided excellent discrimination between those children with coeliac disease and the control groups, and our study suggests that it may provide a rapid, non-invasive method of screening for this disease before intestinal biopsy.