Cystic fibrosis and celiac disease - multifaceted and similar

Abstract

Celiac disease and cystic fibrosis share a number of clinical manifestations. The comorbidity rate of these diseases is low: 1:200000. We present a case of a child aged 1 year and 5 months, born to a mixed-marriage parents, with concomitant cystic fibrosis and celiac disease manifesting initially with chronic diarrhea. Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis was made on the basis of changes in pulmonogram and three positive sweat tests with the malabsorption managed. Celiac disease was demonstrated through immunological tests (serological test of anti-transglutaminase antibodies of IgA class), histological tests (altered duodenal mucosa) and the therapeutic effect of a gluten-free diet. This case is the first ever reported case of a child with concomitant cystic fibrosis and celiac disease in Bulgaria. The case suggests the need for targeted screening for celiac disease in children with cystic fibrosis.