The Incidence of Celiac Disease Antibodies in Plasma Specimens with Low Hemoglobin Levels

Abstract

Antibodies to gliadin and tissue transglutaminase (TTG) are associated with celiac disease. Celiac patients often present with low hemoglobin levels; however, the incidence of celiac disease in patients with low hemoglobin levels is unknown. We investigated the incidence of celiac disease-associated antibodies in plasma obtained from individuals with low and normal hemoglobin levels. Our objective was to determine if antigliadin and anti-TTG antibodies are more prevalent in individuals with low hemoglobin levels than in control subjects with normal hemoglobin levels. Following IRB approval, we obtained 86 plasma specimens with hemoglobin levels less than or equal to 10 g/dL and 88 plasma specimens from individuals with hemoglobin levels greater than or equal to 13 g/dL. IgA and IgG antibodies to gliadin and TTG were determined by ELISA assays provided by BioRad, Inc. IgG antigliadin Ab was present in 6 out of 86 low hemoglobin specimens and in two of the normal hemoglobin specimens. The IgA antigliadin ELISA assay was positive in 19 out of 86 low hemoglobin specimens and in 21 out of 88 normal hemoglobin specimens. IgA anti-TTG was detected in 9 out of 86 low hemoglobin specimens and in 3 out of 88 normal hemoglobin specimens. IgG anti-TTG was not present in any of the specimens. IgA antibodies to TTG were more prevalent in individuals with low hemoglobin levels. The incidence of IgG anti-TTG and IgG and IgA antibodies to gliadin was not related to plasma hemoglobin levels in our sample.