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New Test for Celiac Disease

Genesis Diagnostics Ltd, Cambridge, UK recently announced the development of a new and sensitive test for celiac disease.

The test detects the presence of transglutaminase (an enzyme) in the patient's blood. The presence of these antibodies is an indication that the patient is suffering from celaic disease.

New Test for Celiac Disease

A study by Not T, Ventura A et al yielded a new test for celiac disease which utilized a single drop of whole blood and subjected it to a strip-AGA (Anti-Gliadin Antibody) test. The basis of this new test for celiac disease is that in celiac disease, the destruction of the cells in the intestines releases Transglutaminase (TgA) which acts as a catalyst to the formation of complex molecules comprising either the gliadins themselves or transglutaminase and gliadins. These newly formed molecules activate the T-cells which specifically target gliadins and this causes the formation of anti-bodies to gliadin and transglutaminase. These transglutaminase antibodies also attack the mucosal epithelial cells and prevent them from differentiating and so inhibit the formation of the intestinal villi. 

Another new test for celiac disease utilises a small sample of saliva from the patient and tests it for the presence of transglutaminase antibodies produced by the body's immune system in response to te presence of gliadins in the blood as a result of gluten digestion. This new test for celiac disease is safe, non-invasive, fast and accurate.

Juan C. Gomez, MD, and a team of colleagues from San Martin Hospital in La Plata, Argentina  have suggested a new test for celiac disease patients whihc helps to confirm the presence of the disease even if there are no observable symptoms. They suggest that the testing protocol should use a test with anti tissue transglutaminase (tTG) first and then followed by a test for endomysial antibodies. This new test for celiac disease can be followed by an intestinal biopsy for a final confirmation of the disease and the test can be used for both for screening populations or high-risk individuals.

A very fast and new test for celiac disease has been developed by Dr. Luis Sorell and his colleagues at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, Cuba. The test consists of a nitrocellulose strip that is required to be placed in serum or plasme from the patient's blood sample. It detects both Immunoglobin A and Immunoglobin G antibodies to transglutaminase and has been found to be very useful in preventing a wrong diagnosis in patients who have an Immunoglobin A deficiency.

Recently a research team at the Intestinal Health Institute in Dallas has developed a new test for celiac disease patients that accurately measures the amount of excreted fat from examination of a single stool.