Evaluation of a serum IgA-class reticulin antibody test for the detection of childhood celiac disease

J Pediatr. 1984 Dec;105(6):901-5. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(84)80074-8.

Abstract

Serum IgA class reticulin antibody (RA) was found in 28 (97%) of 29 children with flat small bowel mucosa, and in low titer in four (2%) of 245 with normal or near normal mucosa on small intestinal biopsy. Thus the sensitivity of the IgA-RA fluorescent antibody test for screening of celiac disease was 97% and the specificity 98%. IgA-RA was superior to IgG-RA for the detection of celiac disease. During follow-up of patients receiving a gluten-free diet, the IgA-RA rapidly decreased and in most cases disappeared within a year, suggesting that the test may be useful for clinical follow-up of celiac disease as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / classification*
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Infant
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Reticulin / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Reticulin