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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2006; 12(40): 6546-6550
Published online Oct 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i40.6546
Prevalence of celiac disease in an urban area of Brazil with predominantly European ancestry
Maria Angélica G Pereira, Carmen L Ortiz-Agostinho, Iêda Nishitokukado, Maria N Sato, Adérson OMC Damião, Marília L Alencar, Clarice P Abrantes-Lemos, Eduardo LR Cançado, Thales de Brito, Sérgio O Ioshii, Sandra BM Valarini, Aytan M Sipahi
Maria Angélica G Pereira, Carmen L Ortiz-Agostinho, Iêda Nishitokukado, Adérson OMC Damião, Marília L Alencar, Aytan M Sipahi, Department of Gastroenterology, Medical Investigation Laboratories (LIM 07), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Maria N Sato, Medical Investigation Laboratories (LIM 56), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Clarice P Abrantes-Lemos, Eduardo LR Cançado, Thales de Brito, Institute of Tropical Medicine (LIM 06) , University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Sérgio O Ioshii, Department of Histopathology, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil
Sandra BM Valarini, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil
Correspondence to: Aytan M Sipahi, Rua Joaquim Floriano, No. 72, Cj 72, Itaim Bibi, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. aytan@usp.br
Telephone: +55-11-30617279 Fax: +55-11-30617279
Received: January 31, 2006
Revised: July 12, 2006
Accepted: July 19, 2006
Published online: October 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in a group of volunteer blood donors at a blood bank in the city of Curitiba, Brazil through detection of the serum marker immunoglobulin A (IgA) antitransglutaminase antibody.

METHODS: Blood samples collected from 2086 healthy subjects at the Paraná State Center for Hematology and Hemotherapy in Curitiba were submitted to ELISA testing for the IgA antitransglutaminase antibody. Positive samples received IgA antiendomysium antibody test through indirect immunofluorescence using human umbilical cord as substrate. Subsequently, patients who were positive on both tests underwent small bowel (distal duodenum) biopsy.

RESULTS: Six subjects, four males and two females, tested positive for the two serum markers. Five of the six were submitted to intestinal biopsy (one declined the procedure). Biopsy results revealed changes in the distal duodenum mucosa (three classified as Marsh IIIb lesions and two as Marsh II lesions). Most donors diagnosed having celiac disease presented multiple symptoms (gastrointestinal tract complaints). One donor reported having a family history of celiac disease (in a niece).

CONCLUSION: Among apparently healthy blood donors, the prevalence of biopsy-confirmed celiac disease was approximately 1:417, similar to that seen in European countries.

Keywords: Celiac disease; Epidemiology; Malabsorption; Prevalence; Small bowel disease