Celiac disease (CD) is a very frequent immune-mediated disorder triggered by gluten peptides from wheat and related cereals in genetic
susceptible individuals (HLA-DQ2 and -DQ8). It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa that gradually
leads to the development of villous atrophy and malabsorption. Nowadays it is widely accepted that CD is not merely a gastrointestinal
disease, but a systemic disorder. CD is associated with an increased prevalence of other diseases including: iron-deficiency anemia,
osteoporosis, IgA deficiency, dermatitis herpetiformis, other autoimmune disorders and malignancies. Selective IgA deficiency, defined as serum IgA levels <0.07 g/L with
normal IgM and IgG levels, is the most common primary immunodeficiency worldwide. The vast majority (ââ°Ë80%) of individuals with selective IgA deficiency may be asymptomatic, while
the rest can present clinical manifestations such as recurrent infections, chronic inflammatory disorder of autoimmune etiology,
allergic disorders and also malignancies.IgA antibodies neutralize toxins and microorganisms at mucosal interface by interfering with microbial receptors for epithelial
adhesion sites.
Last date updated on September, 2024