Spectrum of autoantibodies in celiac patients and relatives

The coexistence of celiac disease together with a range of autoimmune disorders has already been reported. The aims of this study were to perform a broad spectrum of autoantibodies in celiac patients (N = 56), their first-degree relatives (N = 118), and compare the data with healthy controls (N = 101) and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (N = 42; Crohn's disease, N = 18 and ulcerative colitis, N = 24). All serum samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescence to the anti-endomysium antibodies (EmA), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic (ANCA), anti-smooth-muscle (SMA), anti-mitochondrial (AMA), anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-liver-kidney microsomal (LKM), anti-gastric parietal cells (GPCA), and anti-thyroid microsome (TMA). EmA were detected in 100% of celiac patients ingesting gluten and in 16.1% of the first-degree relatives, while ANCA were positive only in patients with ulcerative colitis (45.6%) and Crohn's disease (16.5%). Fourteen CD patients (25%) were positive for at least one of the other autoantibodies, with significant prevalence of TMA, ANA, and GPCA, while the relatives showed 17.8% of positivity, with an increased prevalence of ANA and TMA. These results emphasize the value of screening for different autoantibodies in celiac patients and their relatives and corroborate the need for evaluation and follow-up of these individuals.