Coeliac Disease in the 21st Century: No Longer "Kids' Stuff".

Background: We aimed to determine if Coeliac disease (CD) can be still be considered a predominantly paediatric disorder, in spite of the increased incidence of adult-onset CD reported in recent years.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, and retrospective study was developed at two Spanish hospitals. Data was collected and analyzed from all paediatric and adult patients newly diagnosed with CD throughout the year 2010.

Prevalence of celiac disease in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a common systemic disease related to a permanent intolerance to gluten and is often associated with different autoimmune and neurological diseases. Its mean prevalence in the general population is 1-2% worldwide. Our aim was to study the prevalence of celiac disease in a prospective series of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients and their first-degree relatives.

Duodenal biopsy may be avoided when high transglutaminase antibody titers are present.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies for villous atrophy in adult and pediatric populations to determine if duodenal biopsy can be avoided.

Methods: A total of 324 patients with celiac disease (CD; 97 children and 227 adults) were recruited prospectively at two tertiary centers. Human IgA class anti-tTG antibody measurement and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed at diagnosis.

MHC class I chain-related gene B promoter polymorphisms and celiac disease.

The possibility that susceptibility to celiac disease (CD) might be influenced by the MHC class I chain-related gene family, MICA and MICB, has been previously reported. In this study, we analyzed the MICB promoter and examined the association of the polymorphisms found within such in a group of CD patients. To study the MICB promoter we sequenced the 5' flanking region of MICB gene in DNA from homozygous B-lymphoblastoid cell lines corresponding to the most frequent MICB alleles found in our population (MICB*00502, MICB*002, MICB*004, and MICB*008).

Comparison of six human anti-transglutaminase ELISA-tests in the diagnosis of celiac disease in the Saharawi population.

Aim: Celiac disease (CD) is an enteropathic disorder very prevalent in Saharawi people. Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of six human tissue transglutaminase (tTG) based ELISA tests in Saharawi CD patients.

Methods: Fifty-two CD patients and 23 controls were selected from the Saharawi refugee camps in Tinduf.

Protective effect of the HLA-Bw4I80 epitope and the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DS1 gene against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

The aim of the present study was to investigate, in 152 Spanish patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), the possibility that killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) influence progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. KIRs are related to the activation and inhibition of natural killer cells and may play an important role in the innate response against infection with such viruses as HCV. We found that the human leukocyte antigen-Bw4I80 epitope and the KIR3DS1 gene were more frequent in HCV carriers than in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Association of MHC class I related gene B (MICB) to celiac disease.

Background And Aims: Celiac disease (CD) is an enteropathic disorder characterized by strong association with HLA-DQ2. Our aim was to investigate whether MICB, a gene located in the MHC class I region, may contribute to CD susceptibility.

Patients And Methods: Total of 133 CD patients, previously reported to be associated with MICA-A5.

MHC class I region plays a role in the development of diverse clinical forms of celiac disease in a Saharawi population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of MHC genes in the development of celiac disease (CD) and its diverse clinical forms in a Saharawi population.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-five CD patients and 98 healthy controls were selected from the Saharawi refugee camps in Tindouf. All were investigated for the presence of antitransglutaminase 2 antibodies.

Extended human leukocyte antigen haplotype EH18.1 influences progression to hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Our aim was to investigate whether different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes might be associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. DNA obtained from 141 Spanish patients with HCV infection (48 with alanine aminotransferase levels in the range considered to be normal, 47 with liver cirrhosis, and 46 with hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs]) and from 116 control subjects were typed for HLA-B, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1 alleles, as well as for major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) transmembrane polymorphism. The frequency of HLA-DR11 was increased in HCV carriers, compared with patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) (corrected P value [Pc],.

Quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia: a prospective 1-year follow-up study in Spanish patients.

Background And Aims: The natural history of functional dyspepsia is not well known. We prospectively assess the quality of life and severity of symptoms in a group of Spanish patients with functional dyspepsia.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and twelve consecutive patients with functional dyspepsia, according to Rome II criteria, were prospectively followed up for 1 year.

TNF-alpha -308A promoter polymorphism is associated with enhanced TNF-alpha production and inflammatory activity in Crohn's patients with fistulizing disease.

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in the inflammatory response and pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). TNF-alpha -308A polymorphism within the TNF-alpha gene promoter has been associated with enhanced TNF-alpha production in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism at -308 on the susceptibility and phenotypic expression of fistulizing CD.

Characterization and clinical impact of antinuclear antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Objectives: The clinical impact of antinuclear antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis is uncertain. We analyzed in detail the antinuclear antibodies reactivity of primary biliary cirrhosis patients and correlated the fine specificities observed with clinical, biochemical, and immunologic parameters.

Methods: A total of 96 consecutive primary biliary cirrhosis patients and 283 pathologic controls were studied.

Celiac disease in autoimmune cholestatic liver disorders.

Objectives: In this study, serological screening for celiac disease (CD) was performed in patients with autoimmune cholestasis to define the prevalence of such an association and to evaluate the impact of gluten withdrawal on liver disease associated with gluten sensitive enteropathy.

Methods: Immunoglobulin A endomysial, human and guinea pig tissue transglutaminase antibodies, and immunoglobulin A and G gliadin antibodies were sought in 255 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Results: Immunoglobulin A endomysial and human tissue transglutaminase antibodies were positive in nine patients (seven primary biliary cirrhosis, one autoimmune cholangitis, and one primary sclerosing cholangitis), whose duodenal biopsy results showed villous atrophy consistent with CD.

High serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels are associated with lack of response to infliximab in fistulizing Crohn's disease.

Objectives: Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha), has been effective in the treatment of patients with active Crohn's disease and with fistulas. We investigated the effect of infliximab on circulating cytokines and acute phase proteins in patients with fistulas to determine the clinical response to anti-TNF-alpha.

Methods: A total of 36 patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease were selected for study.

MICA-A5.1 allele is associated with atypical forms of celiac disease in HLA-DQ2-negative patients.

We selected 38 consecutive celiac disease (CD) patients (from a group of 316 consecutive CD patients) and 91 healthy blood donors, all of whom were HLA-DQ2 (DQA1*0501/DQB1*0201) negative, and investigated the presence of the classically associated alleles HLA-DQ8 and HLA-DRB4. We also studied the distribution of MICA transmembrane alleles in the two clinical forms of the disease. For this reason, these 38 DQ2-negative patients were subdivided into two groups: 18 typical CD patients and 20 atypical CD patients.