Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion that affects the small bowel in genetically susceptible subjects (HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8). This disease, occurring both in children and adults, is one of the most common disorders in Western countries. Coeliac disease is characterized by the presence of variable clinical manifestations (mainly digestive symptoms and signs of intestinal malabsorption), the presence of specific antibodies (tissue transglutaminase and endomysium), and enteropathy. At present, the only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet throughout life.